MILK REFORM

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 21, 24 July 1918, Page 6

MILK REFORM

After an interval, in which many people feared that municipal interest in milk reform was waning, a Special Committee of the City Council has now presented a report bearing on the face of it evidence of full enquiry and careful consideration sufficient to account for the delay. The report embodies several important points, of which the principal'are as follow:—(1) The establishment of receiving stations in the more distant supplying districts, to cool and clarify the milk before its despatch to the city in insujated vans; (2) creation of a central city station and the immediate purchases of premises for temporary use; (3) ultimate municipal distribution on the block and coupon system, but in the meantime the introduction of a block system in co-operation with, the present vendors. Some of these points are new as proposals for operation in Wellington, and we are not in a position to give unqualified ap» proval to the report until details of the various measures are available.

At the same time, we would commend very heartily^the thoroughness which has characterised the work of the committee. It will be noted with satisfaction that the report provides for a measure of improvement which may be brought into being at an early date, and will yet harmonise'with the plans for a permanent settlement of this question. We have always advocated such basic principles as the early cooling of the milk and its transportation in suitable vehicles, and the embodiment of these essentials in the committee's scheme is proof that mere superficial reform is riot sought. Here, however, it must not be overlooked that the City Council's efforts, be they ever so well-planned, will be nullified if the co-operation of the Railway Department is not obtained. In the past the Department has given little encouragement to milk reformers. Now; that the council is! setting itself to introduce new and sound methods, we trust that there will be a change in the Departmental attitude. The need for reform lias so impressed itself on the civic authorities that they have adopted proposals far-reaching in. importance and involving no light expenditure. No unsupported plea of war difficulties will justify the refusal of the Railway's co-operation.