MILK ZONING IN CHRISTCHURCH

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25092, 25 January 1947, Page 6

MILK ZONING IN CHRISTCHURCH

VENDORS’ OBJECTION TO CHANGE INQUIRY BY CENTRAL COUNCIL The full Central Milk Council will sit as a committee of inquiry under the Milk 4ct at Christchurch next month to consider the petition of certain vendors who object to the new zoning scheme proposed by the Christchurch Metropolitan Milk Board. At present there is only one vendor in each zone, and the proposed amendment to /the scheme was designed to given consumers a choice among milkmen. When the Central Milk Council received notice of the objection it took legal opinion to ascertain what course should be followed, and it was advised that the petition complied with section 104 of the Milk Act. This section provides that where there is any dispute or difference between a milk authority (such as the Christchurch Metropolitan Milk Board) and any supply association, or association of milk producers or of milk vendors, any party to the dispute may refer the matter to the Central Milk Council. The council may thereupon appoint a committee of inquiry to determine the dispute or difference. The finding of the committee is binding on both parties to the dispute. Section 103 of the act provides that a committee of inquiry may consist of one or more of the members of the council, either with or without some other persons. Such a committee has all the powers of a commission of inquiry. When the vendors’ objection came before the Central Milk Council yesterday members considered that it raised issues of considerable importance, which might have some application in other districts. Accordingly it was decided to appoint the whole council, including the Minister of Health (Mr A. H. Nordmeyer), who is chairman, a committee of inquiry to sit in* Christchurch on February 10. The council consists of the following members:—the Minister, Dr. Muriel Bell (representing women and children), Mr H. E. Combs, M.P. (appointed by the Government to represent the consumers), Messrs C. J. McFadden and K. K. Montgomery (representing the producers), Mr M. E. Lyons (nominated by the Municipal Association), and the Director of Milk Marketing (Mr H. H. Innes). Because of the importance attached by the council to the inquiry, it is likely that public sittings will be held.

Recruiting in Britain.— The latest recruiting returns show that between the end of the war with Japan and December last 500,000 men were taken into the Army, Navy, and Air Force, but against this intake must be set a i considerable number of releases, which have been proceeding recently lat the rate of 80,000 a month. Cabinet recently discussed the drive with Field-Marshal Lord Montgomery, and as a result steps are to be taken to I increase the rate of recruiting during the remainder of the winter.—-London, January 24.