Board Confirms Raw Milk By-Law

Press, Volume C, Issue 29674, 18 November 1961, Page 13

Board Confirms Raw Milk By-Law

The Christchurch Metropolitan Milk Board demanded yesterday that Mr G. J. Wataon, secretary of the MHk Consumers’ Protection Association, withdraw three statement! he had made in evidence before the board. Mr Watson admitted that he could not produce evidence to support two of his statements, which were part of his evidence in objection to the board’s proposal to confirm a recent decision changing its by-laws. The decision, which was later confirmed by th* board, substituted a new by-law glving specially licensed milk producers the right to sell raw milk at their dairy premises, for a by-law giving consumers the right of choice in the purchase of raw or pasteurised milk. The new by-law comes in to force on November 27. Mr Watson agreed to withdraw his reference to a “block vote” on the Milk Board by the five City Council representatives. This statement was questioned first by Mr W. P. Glue.

“You are not suggesting, are you, that we are not voting for our personal convictions?” he asked. “No,” said Mr Watson, “I'm not suggesting that.” Mr Glue: That is why it is a block vote—we vote that way because we each think that way. Mr G. D. Hattaway, the board chairman, told Mr Watson that the board was constituted on a population basis. The five City Council nominees were quite independent.

“Your assertion is a wrong one, and I ask you to withdraw it” said the chairman.

Mr Watson: The word “block” was not intended to imply a conspiracy. It was quite an innocent statement.

Mr Glue: It was an insinuation. Mr Watson: I will withdraw it I didn’t intend it that way. Mr Watson had said in his statement that Mr A. P. Millthorpe, the board's supervising officer, had once asked him: “Why do you not work in with the Milk Board instead of embarrassing them?” Mr Hattaway told Mr Watson that Mr Millthorpe disputed that statement

“You have no right to say it,” said the chairman, “and pleas* withdraw it." Mr Watson said he would withdraw the statement, because he had no evidence to prove that Mr Millthorpe had ever asked him that question. “Must Have Facia” In his statement Mr Watson had also said: “It is wellknown that in South Canterbury there is a dairy which the doctor* travel to in order to obtain their supplies of raw milk.” “What doctor* in South Canterbury are getting raw milk.” Mr R. G. Brown asked the witness. Mr Watson: You can go and see them for yourselves. I haven’t got their names here. Mr Hattaway: We must have facts. We cannot act on general statements. Mr Watson: I have no evidence. Mr Hattaway: Then I take it that that will be withdrawn too. Mr W. E. Olds: There’s not much left, sir. Mr Hattaway: No, but we must have statements based on fact Mr Watson had said in evidence that the by-law which the board planned to confirm was nothing mor* than a token in its practical application towards a supply of raw milk to those consumers requiring it. Very few milk producers would be interested in applying for licences to sell raw milk at their dairies. Mr Watson said that if the treating houses refused to deliver raw milk, the board should make raw milk available in sufficient quantities, vendors should be allowed to deliver it, and some vendors should be licensed to distribute raw milk only. As a last resource hi* association should be allowed to employ its own vendors, raid Mr Watson. Invitation to Object The Christchurch Milk Board should have Invited the lodging of objections before convening the meeting for the purpose of changing the by-laws, said Mr P R. H. Maling, another objector. “My first objection is to the proposed repeal of bylaw 5 giving the right of choice of raw or pasteurised milk delivered.” he said. "The right of choice is fundamental to freedom, and freedom cannot exist without it

‘The principal function of the board is to ensure an adequate supply of good milk for the people of Christchurch and surrounding district*. The board ba* no authority to interfere with fundamental freedoms, except possibly in an emergency.”

Mr Mating said the Minister of Health had given authority for the right of choice to be suspended In an emergency, but this was revoked five months ago “If earlier pledge* given by the City Council had been honoured, raw milk deliveries would have been resumed at once. It is for the consumer to choose the kind of milk he desires and for the Milk Board to provide an adequate supply of ii a* hygienlcally and economically a* possible.”

Mr Mating said milk producer* could not be expected to give a raw milk service unless they were assured of enough customer* to make the sale of raw milk an economic proposition. He aleo spoke of the difficulty many old person® and pensioners would have in travelling to collect supplies from raw milk producers.