CITY MILK BILL

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 97, 21 October 1931, Page 11

CITY MILK BILL

ADVERSE REPORT

In the House Qli this afternoon the Wellington City Milk Supply Amendment P.ill was reported liy the Agricultural, Pastoral, and Stock Committee,, with a recommendation that, it bo not allowed to proceed.

Mr. B. M'Kcen (Labour, Wellington •South) regretted the- finding of the Committee, and said it was a very serious matter for the City Council. Ho said that.thero was a small section of farmers bringing into the cily milk which, was not being inspected, and which was-a menace to the health of Ihe people. Mr. W. J. Poison (Independent, Stratford): "How many Bills docs Wellington want?"

Mr. AT'Keen: "The public of Wellington want justice. They want legislation which will protect tho health of tho people." Mr.. M'Keen referred to the milk which came into tho city daily, supplied by farmers not under contract with the council—'.''bootleg" milk," which was uninspected—and said it amounted to 'MO gallons a da}'. Jfc had been as much as 500 gallons. This was endangering the health1 of the community. The Bill had been favourably reported upon by the Local Bills Committee, and was now adversely reported on by tho Pastoral and Stock Committee; ho hoped the House would sec that flio measure was passed, in tho interests of the people of Wellington. Mr. 1\ Langstono (Labour, Waimarino) said.that tho Wellington City Council had been very magnanimous to the nearby farmers. They were getting a more generous price for their milk than any other farmers in New Zealand. When the 30-gallon limit was deleted the farmers had produced as much milk ;is they possibly could, and had some of them been, fair and square to the agreement there would havo been no need for the legislation asked for. The Bill gavo the city inspectors power to inspect, any milk coining into tho city. He regretted tho ,-ghurt-si;;htcdness of -the Committee. -