CONTROL OF MILK

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27039, 14 May 1953, Page 3

CONTROL OF MILK

CHRISTCHURCH CITY CONDITIONS

CONSUMERS’ REPLY TO MR TENNENT

“Mr W. B. Tennent, M.P. for Palmerston North, has been prominent in his advocacy of total pasteurisation of milk for some time, and is, no doubt, a powerful influence in this subject in Parliamentary circles,” says a statement issued by Mr G. J. Watson, secretary of the Milk Consumers’ Protection Association, on behalf of the committee of the association.. “He has shown great aptitude in obtaining all possible evidence on the side of complete pasteurisation of all town milk supply, but is definitely not interested in collecting evidence on the positive merits of fresh raw milk. This fact is borne out by his recent visit to Christchurch, when, together with members of the Central Milk Council, he came to make a first-hand study of Christchurch conditions, which would be invaluable in its deliberations.

“What a farce this statement is! What a mockery the whole situation is! This council is representative of vested interests. Mr C. J. McFadden (Christchurch) is a man directly representing the monopoly. H. Lambie (Auckland) and P. T. Jamieson (Palmerston North) producers’ representatives, are also representing the monopoly. Mr L. August (Lower Hutt), vendors’ representative, definitely represents another financial beneficiary group. Mr W. J. Rogers (Wanganui), treatment stations’ representative, stands for another financial interest, while Dr. Muriel Bell (Dunedin) is supposedly representing women and children. The burning question is: where are the representatives of the consumers? There should be at least as many representatives elected by the public to represent them. Did Mr Tennent or the Central Council have any wish to meet representatives of the consumers of milk? Does Mr Tennent know that there is An association in. Christchurch which champions fair play between producers and monopolist milk councils, milk boards, treating houses, the Health Department, ana all those who stand, having all the power to coerce the public to do their will? “Christchurch Alarmed” “The Milk Council believe in: (1) Total pasteurisation without right of choice. (2) Some medical opinion, such as it is. (3) Elimination of competition among vendors. (4) Elimination of service through competition. (5) Full support to milk monopolies. (6) Establishment of law to enforce these things. (7) Establishment of onesided milk boards. (8) Elimination of public opinion. But the council professed to be making a first-hand study of Christchurch conditions; it would certainly hear the side of the so-called reformers, but it did not go out of its way to ask the opinion of people who pay for and consume the milk and cream, or to discuss the sins of the milk companies, the lack of competition service and the blatant hypocrisy of the milk boards. "Christchurch is alarmed at the power of the giant octopus of the dead hand of control in milk, cream and other dairy products; and this is in keeping with the deterioration of a people. “Milk control will not benefit the health of a community. Many consumers of Christchurch know this, which is reflected in Mr Tennent’s statement that 42 per cent, of Christchurch milk is sold raw. Not all consumers are willing to be led blindly. Many possess knowledge which the Central Milk Council chooses to ignore. The Milk Consumers’ Protection Association, representing a considerable cross-section of public opinion, definitely disagrees with Mr Tennent and the vested interests.

“Mr Tennent states that the Government provides an annual subsidy of £2,500,000 on milk. Means of effecting economies in distribution had to be considered. This association does not see any economy in this—rather the reverse. Take away this misplaced subsidy. Mr W. P. Warner, another advocate of total pasteurisation, tight zoning and milk coupons, says the milk companies do not receive subsidies but margins (fraction here, fraction there) and Id a gallon on all milk pasteurised. Remove the Id a gallon for pasteurisation and the vested interests would lose interest in the milk industry and the community would benefit in health. “It is to be hoped that Mr Tennent will become better informed as he continues his inquiries and becomes enlightened in knowledge.”