THE MILK PROBLEM

Evening Post, Volume XCV, Issue 45, 21 February 1918, Page 3

THE MILK PROBLEM

Proposals for the solution of the Wellington milk problem are made by a correspondent of The Post, W. N. Burcher. The correspondent contends that fche system for obtaining clean, pure milk must begin at the farms, as no amount of effort will effectually eradicate what commences there. "Without making a wholesale condemnation, I must say that I have never seen cows- milked under such conditions in the Old Land as I have seen in this country, both, for factories and the town supply." From his long experience in England, the correspondent claims that his 1 system would ensure a pure supply and cheaper than at present. Before the war he did not know the price in England above la 4d a gallon in ■winter and Is in summer, wholesale prices being 9d and 6d to 7d a gallon. The capital value of cows then was £20 a head. The system suggested by the correspondent is the establishment of a municipal f arm of about 400 to 600 acres between Wellington and Levin, and as near to the i-ailway as possible, and suitable for cropping. Buildings should be erected for the stall-feed-ing and milking of 300 to 400 cows. The 6tock shouid be used for milking, and then fattened and sold, the herd being replenished by the purchase of newlycalved cows and no breeding being undertaken on the farm. Before purchase, each cow should be thoroughly tested, and on the farm there should be the strictest cleanliness. Milk should be cooled immediately, and then carried on ■a special night train to the city, where the afternoon's milk: could be kept in cool storage at the clearing-house. The clearing-house should be a head receiving and distributing depot, and some of 'the existing dairies could be taken over as sub-depots. At the farm it would be necessary to buy some feed, but the bulk could be grown. The cows would be turned out except in. fine weather. In the city there should be a block system of delivery, and there should be encouragement to suburban farmers to produce milk for retailing in the nearest districts.