CITY MILK SUPPLY

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23845, 14 January 1943, Page 5

CITY MILK SUPPLY

BETTER PRICE SOUGHT FOR PRODUCERS

The Government will be asked to reopen the question of milk prices to Christchurch city suppliers on the ground that the present price fixed is uneconomic and anomalous. A resolution to this effect was passed by the North Canterbury executive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union yesterday. Mr J. R. D. Johns said that he represented producers of a city supply. They considered the uneconomic price offered to-day would in the near future mean a shortage of milk in Christchurch,. There had practically been a shortage last winter, and everything pointed to a still greater shortage this winter. He did not think any industry was so handicapped as the city milk supply industry in Christchurch. Prices of buckets and cans and other costs had been doubled compared with 20 years ago, yet the Government was asking producers to supply milk at the price of 20 years ago. The producers were asking the union to support them in securing a stabilised price which was a reasonable living price to the dairy farmer. Mr R. G. Bishop (chairman): I think we all realise the plight of milk suppliers, and could do something to support them. Mr S G. Farquhar said that the present fixation of prices in the Dominion was anomalous. He added that the zoning scheme was recognised as having made a considerable saving in costs of distributing milk, but the public had received no benefit and the producers little benefit. It was definitely going to the vendors. Mr K. Hall said that the position would be very serious if the people and especially the children of Christchurch were short of milk. It appeared definite that there would be a shortage if the producers could not obtain a reasonable price. • To a question, Mr Johns said that Christchurch producers would be satisfied if they received the Wellington Pl Thc motion carried was Proposed by Mr Farquhar and seconded by Mr Hall.

QUESTIONS BY HOUSEWIVES’

UNION

The following questions are asked in a letter addressed to the Town Clerk by the Canterbury Housewives; Union: (1) Are mothers getting special baby milk when ordered and if not, is the City Council prepared to ask for the imposition of maximum penalties on the offending vendors? (2) Can the City Council give a definite assurance of an adequate milk supply for Christchurch all the year round? , (3) What is the outcome of the City Council's representations to the Government in the matter of milk supply? (4) Is the Milk Zoning Committee aware of the many cases of milk vendors refusing to carry out promises made to the public (choice of pasteurised or fresh milk, etc.) and. if so, is the public inforrrted of these cases? (5) Are supplies being sent from central depots, at the cost of lyres and petrol, to outlying districts which could be supplied by local vendors? The letter will be placed before the zoning committee and the milk cojnmittee of the City Council.