CHOICE OF MILK SUPPLY

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27688, 18 June 1955, Page 9

CHOICE OF MILK SUPPLY

BOARD TO RECEIVE REPORTS OPINION AFTER FULL FACTS OBTAINED Reports on the practicability of giving consumers a choice of raw or pasteurised milk from alternative supply sources have been requested of the Canterbury Milk Vendors’ Association, and milk treating houses, by the Christchurch Milk Board, said Mr Lyn Christie, chairman of the board. Representations made by the Christ? church Milk Consumers’ Protection Association to the Prime Minister had been referred to the Minister of Marketing (Mr K. J. Holyoake) who, in turn, had asked the board for its opinion. “When we have the full facts we will be able to form an opinion,’’ said Mr Christie. “At present the public is getting only one section’s opinion. If everyone tried to save his time, like the milk board, he would do a lot better.” Mr Christie said the board would also discuss the proposal with representatives of the New Zealand Milk Board.

The board had decided to invite a representative of the consumers’ association to its meeting when the reports were received, said Mr Christie.

REPRESENTATION ON BOARD

CONSUMERS’ QUESTION . ANSWERED Representation on milk boards was available to anyone, provided they were first elected to a city council, a borough council, or a county council, and were then selected by that council to sit on the board. This was the effect of replies to a statement by Mr H. W. Thompson, chairman of the Christchurch Milk Consumers’ Protection Association, when, in a statement to “The Press” he asked what facilities existed for persons to obtain a place on a milk board.

Mr Thompson was commenting on a report in “The Press” of last Tuesday in which the Canterbury Milk Vendors’ Association said that facilities existed for those who wished to stand for election and obtain a place on the milk board. “So far as I am aware the only facilities available are those open to local authorities,” he said. “Under Section 20 of the Milk Act, 1944, the milk board may request the Governor-General to appoint other representatives to a milk board. So that the public will not be misled on the question I would be interested to know what facilities the vendors’ association alleges exist,” Mr Thompson said. “Our association asked the Christchurch. Milk Board more than 12 months ago to arrange for representation of our association on the board, but this request was ignored.”/ “He could become a city councillor and get elected from there, or become a borough or county councillor and join the board from there,” said Mr Lyn Christie, chairman of the Christchurch Milk Board. answering Mr Thompson’s statement. The board at present comprised five city councillors and two representatives of borough and county councils. “Through the municipal elections,’’ said Mr P. A. Caithness, president of the Canterbury Milk Vendors’ Association, in answer to the question.