"DEPLORABLY LOW"

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 130, 3 June 1936, Page 16

"DEPLORABLY LOW"

DOMINION MILK DRINKING

COST OF DISTRIBUTION

The National Dairy Association of New Zealand is concerned at the low consumption of milk in New Zealand. In its report to be presented at the coming dairy conference at Hastings it will show that although generous offers to assist in a drink-more-milk campaign have been made by the New Zealand Manufacturers' Association, as well as other organisations, "the conclusion cannot be avoided that the dairy industry, which should be the most closely interested, has shown the most apathy of any section of the community.

"For a dairying country such as this, the per capita consumption of milk is deplorably low, and our position in comparison with other countries is not at all flattering. In concentrating on the manufacture of butter and cheese and struggling to find overseas markets for its constantly-expanding production, the industry has undoubtedly overlooked, or at least disregarded, the obvious outlet at its own doors. ■"The ;value of milk as a diet for children is too well established to need emphasis, and the results of the comparatively small quantity that has been distributed to schools in the main centres through the efforts of organisations show conclusively what immense benefit would accrue to the general standard of juvenile health if a national scheme of distribution in the schools were to be introduced. "One of the factors which must be closely examined in any scheme is the cost of distribution. If a farmer can produce good milk at a cost of sixpence per gallon, there appears to be something radically wrong that it should cost practically three times that amount to transport it from the farm to the consumer's door. Admittedly the problem is not so simple as such a statement might indicate, but it should be possible, by united effort, to find a solution. It is hoped, now that the Government is taking over the burden of export marketing, that the Dairy Board will be able to devote some attention to the local milk problem, a solution of which would confer large benefits not. only on the dairy farmers, jbut on the community as a whole."