FARM-GATE PRICE OF MILK

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23751, 24 September 1942, Page 4

FARM-GATE PRICE OF MILK

ANOTHER REQUEST FOR ANNOUNCEMENT TELEGRAM TO MINISTER The prompt announcement of the price of milk at the farm gate, as determined by the Economic Stabilisation Committee which took evidence in Christchurch more than six weeks ago, is urged by tne executive of the dairy farmers of Casnmere, Halsweil, and Marshland in a telegram sent yesterday to the Minister of Supply (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) by the chairman, Mr John Parian e. The telegram adds that the delay in the announcement of the new price is likely to restrict the volume of milk available next winter. Similar representations were made to the Government by the milk committee of the Christchurch City Council in a telegram sent on September 15, The urgent need for an announcement ano the desirability of making a further approach to the Minister on the question were agreed upon at a meeting yesterday of the executive representing dairy farmers of the three chief dairying districts of Christchurch, Mr Parlane told a reporter of “The Press.” He explained that the executive petitioned Parliament asking that the Price Tribunal should reconsider the price fixed by it for milk at the farm gate. As a result, the Economic Stabilisation Committee was sent to Christchurch about six weeks ago to take evidence on the question. “Since then we have heard nothing, although the City Council has also made representations on the subject," said Mr Parlane.

He added that vendors were paying “all sorts of prices” for milk. The bulk of them at the present moment were paying Is a gallon at the farm gate, but the companies were paying only 9d. The Price Tribunal’s fixed price averaged lid all the year round. The Injustice of this price would be recognised when it was realised that the Wellington City Council, in a district much more suited to dairying, paid an average price of 13.68 d and collected the milk at the farm gate. Some of the biggest vendors in Christchurch were paying their suppliers 13d all the year round.