MILK TREATING PLANT

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25446, 18 March 1948, Page 4

MILK TREATING PLANT

GOVERNMENT WANTS EARLY DECISION

BOARD ASKS TO MEET MR H. H. INNES

On Mr H. S. S. Kyle's motion, the Christchurch Metropolitan Milk Board decided yesterday to ask the Director of the Milk Marketing Division (Mr H. H. Innes) to meet the board at any suitable time to discuss the establishment of a central milk treating plant at Riccarton.

The following letter was received from Mr Innes: “You will recall that on November 11, 1947, you advised me that your board had resolved to reaffirm its previous decision that it was prepared to co-operate with producer interests on' behalf of consumer interests in the formation of a public utility corporation to operate a milk treatment house on an equal partnership basis. You further informed me that preliminary discussions would take place between the board and representatives of the committee of supply on December 5, but I have not yet been advised as to the outcome of this conference.

“I am sure your board will appreciate tbe necessity of reaching a definite conclusion in this matter, as work at Riccarton must commence almost immediately if the project Is to perform effectively, and already preliminary instructions have been given to the consulting architect to this division to prepare sketch plans for perusal by your board and producer interests." Mr Innes asked for consideration ot the matter by the board as soon as possible, and enclosed copies of the articles of association of the proposed Hutt Valley Milk Treatment Company, which was also tailed on equal partnership by producers and consumers. “We understand.” added Mr Innes, "that there may be some conflict of opinion among producer Interests, but if the board is willing to act, then delay could be avoided by entering into agreement with those producer interests who are in favour of the proposal, leaving adequate safeguards for other producer Interests to be incorporated later if they so desire.” The secretary of the board (Mr H. S. Feast) said Mr Innes had not given any indication of the tenfis on which the proposed milk treatment premises were to be ponded over. The chairman (Mr J. N. Clarke) said the board did not know how the division expected it to operate the premises. The producers would have to confer, and advise the board about their ■ requirements. “We are nowhere near reaching a conclusion In our own minds,” said Mr J. E. Tait; “We “have been groping round in the dark for years now. We ought td set out a resume of the information we need. When we get a reply, we can meet the dairy people, and see what they want."