Support Claimed For Milk Consumers’ Body

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27735, 12 August 1955, Page 15

Support Claimed For Milk Consumers’ Body

Public approval had been gained for the two main objectives of the Christchurch Milk Consumers’ Protection Association—to obtain better quality milk and to obtain the right of choice of milk from competing sources as well as of vendors, says Mr H. W. Thompson, president of the association in his annual report to be presented to the association’s annual meeting on August 22. “Instead of our friends saying to us: ‘What, you haven’t joined that gang of cranks, have you?’ they now say: ‘You people are doing good work, keep" it up,’ ” Mr Thompson says. Throushout its existence the association had contended that huge milk treatment stations handling bulk supplies would not of themselves give any improvement in the quality of milk, he continues. Treatment stations were apparently to stay, so it seemed there should be more of them to avoid the “terrific” bulk handling of milk. “This could mean a divenion of the activities of the present large jnain treatment station or, better stilt, a return to that competition which has been so ruthlessly eliminated.” “How can such members act impartial lv on matters which they know can influence more business to their own treatment station?” asks Mr Thompson after saying the association had emphasised that it was not right for directors of a milk treatment station to sit as members of a milk board. “This position is quite untenable in principle and is an offence to the British sense of justice. “Those unfortunate people who have to rely on the Milk Board to do them justice may well wonder what hope they have of an unbiased hearing.” Department Criticised Mr Thompson’s report contains criticism of the Health Department All raw milk was banned after an outbreak of typhoid, he says, but in spite of repeated requests, the association had never been told what caused the outbreak.

“They prosecute milk vendors for not covering their vans so that bottled

milk will not be exposed to sunlight for even an hour,” the report continues. “The department does nothing about the vans which bring the milk to the treatment station, no matter how long the cans may be exposed to the weather. “If tackled on any matters which do not suit it, the department retires promptly behind its own regulations, or says that it is a matter for another department. “What a benefit it would be to us all if we could only place complete reliance on all the public statements of the Health Department in regard to milk, and have confidence in that mature judgment and unbiased outlook which we have come to expect from responsible Government departments.” On cost, Mr Thompson says that incentive payments required urgent attention. In the meantime, regulations on minimum standards should be enforced rigidly. Milk Powder Factory Just- beyond the a factory had been built to make milk powder The association predicted that the factory would be given a licence to treat milk, and that had come to pass. “We now predict that this factory will seek to extend its business into the city area, and to try to gain a stranglehold on all the milk business for the producer combine,” I?e says. Vendors had shown a growing tendency to try to close their ranks to competition and service, the report continues. Like the taxi proprietors a few years ago they would find that they could and would rouse public opposition. “It is one thing for them to combine to attain a reasonable return for their labours: it is another when they decide what service the public shall have.” Mr Thompson says experience showed that constant vigilance was required if milk quality was to be improved or maintained, and consumers were forced to maintain some form of organisation if they were to be. heard at all.