PRICE OF MILK

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 21, 20 October 1937, Page 6

PRICE OF MILK

Auckland Hospital Board Discussion Dominion Special Service. Auckland, October 19. The failure of the Auckland Metro, politau Milk Council to make a reduction in the firice of milk and cream, supplied to the Auckland Hospital resulted in its operations being critically surveyed at a meeting of the hospital board. ,Tt was claimed by several members that the council had done nothing other than raise the price, and one suggestion was advanced that the hospital should establish its own dairyfarm.

It was reported that the chairman of the board, Rev. W. C. Wood, and the secretary, Mr. Somnierville, had waited on the council with a view to obtaining a reduction in the existing prices. However, advice had since been received that the decision recently reached in regard to the price of milk and cream for the hospital could not be altered.

“By establishing its own farm the board could obtain its full requirements at a saving of £2OOO or £3OOO a year,” stated Mr. G. T. Parvifl. “Instead of giving some assistance to the board, which is in one sense a charitable institution, the council has put one over us. They have not the interests of the working classes at heart.” Agreement with the suggestion to establish a hospital farm was expressed by Dr. Hastings, who said the board might then be able to produce its requirements of milk, eggs and vegetables. “I think we should appeal to the Government. The price of milk to-day is criminal." declared Mrs. Dreaver. Mr. W. Wallace; I do not know of one thing that the council has done for the benefit of Auckland. Dr. Gunson: It has improved the quality of milk. Mr. Wallace: Medical men are telling us our children are getting insufficient milk, but we are being stopped from buying it. I hope the,. Government will take drastic action to bring the milk council to its senses. “There is no question about the fact that the council is not favourably disposed toward us in any shape or form,” observed the chairman. A motion that a committee of the board should investigate the advisability of the hospital establishing its own farm was defeated, and it was decided to forward correspondence which has passed between the board and the council to the Government. It was also agreed to investigate the position with the object of determining prices at which milk and cream could be obtained apart from the control of the council.