THE CITY'S MILK

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 33, 7 August 1918, Page 8

THE CITY'S MILK

A MINISTER INTERESTED

;PRIVATE AND PUBLIC INTERESTS,

As Minister of Public Health, the Hon. G. W. Russell has interested himself in the djscussion of proposals for the improvement of Wellington's milk supply. He has referred to an old trouble—the dual control in the work of inspection by the Department of Agriculture andl Public Health—a matter which has been the •subject of many articles in The Poflt during the past twelve years. "It is felt," Mr. Russell continues, "that Wellington on account of its isolation from milk-producing districts stands in an exceptional position as compared with other towns of the Dominion. The area of cow country within eaey acI cess of the city is comparatively 6mall, and consequently the greater part of the supply for the city must be brought from a considerable distance by rail. Under these circumstances the question must be dealt with, on very broad lines, and I feel sure that Government and Parliament will be prepared to lay down the foundation- principle that those who occupy the dairying land surrounding the city of Wellington, with its large and growing population, must recognise their responsibility, and that the first claim on all the milk produced on these lands must be for the feeding of the people in i the city. The question is so important, especially as it affects the health of the children of the city, that private interests cannot be allowed to stand in the way of a pure and adequate milk supply for the people." The principle mentioned in this statement is one for Cabinet's consideration, because it is. a question of procedure which may have & much wider application than to Wellington's milk. The whole question, of private and public rights, in the broad field of the necessaries of life, is involved. From a survey of the general situation of things Governmental to-day, there seems to be very slight prospect that the principle projected by Mr. Russell will receive much of the National Ministry's time this year, unless the war factors compel the Government to review the whole position.