MILK SUPPLY TO TOWNS

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26488, 1 August 1951, Page 2

MILK SUPPLY TO TOWNS

“EXCELLENT SERVICE PROVIDED”

PRODUCERS’ FEDERATION MEETS (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 31, “Reports from various areas indicate that the milk supply generally is steadily reaching the highest possible standard, and information is available that in some areas the standard is so high that any dramatic improvement cannnot be expected,” said the chairman (Mr J, J. Maher, M.P.) in his report to the annual meeting of the Town Milk Producers’ Federation today. He said that tests by the Department of Agriculture into the keeping quality of town milk had revealed that 98.31 per cent, of the samples complied with the four-hour reductase test or better. That was a matter of considerable satisfaction to producers, and directed attention to the excellent service being provided to the public. Mr Maher said a sub-committee was considering the question of payment on quality, involving premiums and penalties. It was awaiting information from the Department of Agriculture as to the availability of facilities and other vital factors connected with the scheme.

Because of the order of the Court of Arbitration of February 15 increasing wages, representations had been made successfully to relate that increase to owners and employees, giving the incentive to people to engage in town milk supplying. That represented almost £l6 a year additional income tor a standard farm.

“As a result of representations to the Government regarding a new price and supply agreement for 1951-82, the Under-Secretary concerned has suggested that because of the proximity of the General Election and the delay in the legislative programme, the status quo should obtain, at least until the national milk board is established,” said Mr Maher. An offer of £22 10s as maximum compensation for cows condemned as reactors to tuberculin tests had been accepted by town milk suppliers when boner beef was bringing 34s per 1001 b, said Mr Maher. Since then the price for that class of meat had fluctuated to 645, and was now 455, he said. However, departmental officers had been instructed to ensure that liberal valuations were placed on condemned cattle, and in most cases producers had received full compensation. The whole question would be reviewed when a full year’s testing had been carried out and when proved anomalies could be examined.

The federation elected the following executive committee:—North Island; Messrs Maher (Wellington), R. J. Glasgow (Auckland), I, W. Bertram (Wellington). H. D. Lambie (Auckland), P. T. Jamieson (Manawatu); South Island: Messrs G. T. Bathgate (Dunedin). R. C. T. Raine (Nelson), C. J. McFad, den (Canterbury), and J. E. Ewing (North Otago).