MILK COMMISSION

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23942, 8 May 1943, Page 2

MILK COMMISSION

CHRISTCHURCH SITTINGS CONCLUDED

TRIBUTE BY CHAIRMAN Before its sittings terminated in Christchurch yesterday, the chairman of the Milk Supply Commission. Mr W. R. Tuck, expressed appreciation for the support which members had received from all sections who had appeared before it. Information, often of a private character, he said, had been willingly given, and the commission had not been obliged to resort to the wide powers which it possessed to obtain evidence. “Furthermore,” he added, “good humour has prevailed throughout the sittings.” Associated with Mr Tuck were Mr A. H. Ward, of Wellington, and Mr G. W. Dell, of Christchurch. The commission will leave to-morrow for Dunedin, where further evidence will be heard. The commission was occupied throughout yesterday in reviewing the .transcript of evidence, and in hearing addresses by counsel and advocates.

“I would like the commission to remember that price is a matter for experts, and for expert evidence.” said Mr A. C. Perry (for United Dairies, Ltd.). The situation in Christchurch concerning supply, he continued, was an unusual one. It was rare to find in Canterbury a farm that did not rely on more than one kind of produce. It was the home of mixed farming. It was wrong, therefore, to treat any one farm on its milk production value only. “Milk producers have carried on successfully for many years,” said Mr Perry, “and even to-day new producers are coming forward,” The commission would meet with the difficulty of varying prices for land. There could be no criticism of the standard of pasteurisation of his company. But the latter, he added, had been placed at a disadvantage by zoning. Replying to a statement as to the possibility of lack of supply in the winter, counsel said his company had met the situation by planning ahead and making contracts with producers. Mr Perry also claimed that his company was operating on a lower margin than elsewhere in the country, and that the price of milk to the Christchurch consumer was lower even than that in Wellington.

.. Fresh Milk Association, Mr P. L. C. Inder said that the area adjacent to Christchurch was sufficient for the city’s milk supply There were many acres, he said, that had been scarcely tapped. “It is to Canterbury s shame,” he continued, “that large supplies of market cream have fu b £ d ™wn from the West Coast and the North Island.” The association supported herd-testing and the inoculation of calves against other diseases, and, in effect, all measures that would keep herds clean.

"The producer-vendor is doing a piece of work,” said Mr Inder. Mumcipalisation, in most instances, would only have the effect of driving him into a definitely uneconomic field.” Dr. A. L. Haslam (for the Christchurch .Dairymen’s Society, Ltd.) said he wished to emphasise only two points —the producer should be getting more for his milk, and that he should receive a bigger proportion of the retail price to the consumer. An organisation, embracing all producers, declared counsel, would be desirable both for producers and the public. Mr A. R. Perry, of Wellington (representing consumers) said he was also concerned with two points,' First, he desired to see an adequate supply of milk, and. second, good quality maintained. He also considered that the retail price should be such as to give a reasonable return to the producer, and also enable consumers to have 8s much milk as they required. Cr. M. E. Lyons said that the milk problem was one with which the Christchurch City Council had wrestled for some time. As long ago as 1926 it had been a burning question, and, although sortie improvement had been made it was not a great deal. The council was deeply concerned with the provision of a safe and adequate supply. . In his opinion, unless there was a substantial reduction in camp demands (which there, probably would not be) there might be a regrettable shortage of milk in the winter.

The council, believed in giving the producers a price which would keep them in business. There was no more slavish job than that of milking cows on 365 days of the year, and the producer deserved help. The council took the view that this should be done without increasing the price to consumers. It should be possible, he considered, for producers to secure at least 55 per cent, of the price paid by consumers, and this would be a fair proportion. A new formula for payment for milk must be devised, for this was one of the outstanding needs of the industry at the present time.