Milkmen seek inquiry

Press, 14 May 1979, Page 7

Milkmen seek inquiry

Wellington The National Union of Milk Vendors wants a Government inquiry into what it sees as a lack of goals, guidance, and confidence in the future of the milk industry. The union questions the needs for two boards to administer the industry: the Milk Board and the Dairy Board. Because of the advent of possible new methods of packaging milk and the entry into specialist fields

sought by some companies, the union wants Government recognition of certain present mea&ires — including all milk being retailed through vendors — while maintaining present lack of ' competition and zoned delivery areasi “A Government inquiry may well determine that the milk industry as a wh< le could be administered by one body,” said the union’s national secretary (Mr J. B. Seggie). The town milk industry has survived in spite of the Milk Board, he said. The board’s performance in administering the Milk Act, 1967, w«S poor, and it had not recognised the

need to involve all parties to the industry in planning. “Instead, it spends large sums of taxpayers’ money jumping from one dispute to another in an effort to suppress vendors, whereas it should be encouraging vendor participation,” Mr Seggie said. His union contended that glass bottles should be used for milk, rather than cartons. In a letter to the Undersecretary of Agriculture (Mr R. L. G. Talbot), Mr Seggie said the Milk Board did not consult vendors before making decisions affecting their earning capacity and working conditions.