The City Council and the Milk Question

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22370, 6 April 1938, Page 8

The City Council and the Milk Question

The Christchurch City Council has very wisely rescinded its previous resolution favouring pasteurisation but not municipalisation of the milk supply and has recommended the newcouncil, which will be elected in May, to take a poll of the ratepayers before proceeding with any scheme of municipalisation. The present council is so evenly divided on the issue that it would be unwise to attempt any definite action. Moreover, the decision in favour of pasteurisation was of little significance or value, since it gave no indication of the manner in which the process was to be carried out or supervised. Pasteurisation gives a "safe" milk supply only under certain conditions; if those conditions are lacking, it is merely an illusory protection for the consumers. Again, ■it has to be remembered that the demand for a reorganisation of the milk supply arose in the first place not from considerations of public health but because the milk industry was chaotic and many producers and vendors were unable to earn a reasonable living. A decision in favour of pasteurisation leaves this problem unsolved. It is true, as one councillor pointed out, that the resolution in favour of a poll cannot bind the incoming council. But it is difficult to believe that any council will be willing to embark on such a controversial and expensive project as municipalisation without first obtaining the specific approval of the ratepayers. _____—.