MILK SUPPLY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 103, 3 May 1937, Page 10

MILK SUPPLY

CONTROL IN N.S.W.

HEALTH SAFEGUARDS

BOARD OPERATING

An outline of the methods adopted by the New South Wales.Milk Board for the control of milk in the metropolitan areas was given by Mr. R. H. Nesbitt, chairman of the board, in an interview, on his arrival today by the Awatea from Sydney. Mr. Nesbitt, who was tormerly Trade Commissioner, for Australia in New Zealand, said that Sydney's milft supply, had been under, control since 1929. The original Act was found to be unsatisfactory so far as its pricefixing provisions were concerned, and a new Act and a new board came into being in 1931. The term of the board expired at the beginning of this year. Dissatisfaction with the position was freely expressed, and a Koyal Commission and a special investigation committee held inquiries. Following | these inquiries, the Stevens Government appointed an- entirely new board. In addition the Government determined that the existing Act should be amended in a number of particulars. Sydney's milk . supply, continued Mr. Nesbitt, was drawn from an area of about 240 miles long by about 80 miles wide, running down the coastline' from Dungog in the north to Nowra in the south. In this area the dairymen produced about 70,000,000 gr.llons; of milk per year. Of this quantity approximately one-third was acquired for milk purposes for the metropolitan areas and Newcastle. The remainder was used for buttermaking, cheese, milk powder, and condensed milk. ' The milk for the metropolitan areas was collected from about 3500 dairy farmers and was supplied through 24 country factories, most of which were co-operative associations. Owing to the distance of some--of the factories from Sydney the milk was transported in bulk tanks and spscially-built railway wagons to Sydney, where it was pasteurised and distributed by companies who acted as agents for the Milk Board. The quantity of milk from these sources was about, 24,000,000 gallons a year. In addiiton, there were about 460 dairymen operating within the metropolitan area, whose output per year amounted .to- about . 10,000,000-. gallons. At the present time the quantity of milk being sold in bottles in Sydney was only about 5 per cent, of the total, the rest being sold under the open^ method. The change-over to bottled milk, however, was, gradually taking place. . . •

POWERS OF BOARD,

The Milk Board, said Mr. Nesbitt, had jurisdiction over the whole Of New South Wales. Since the passing of the Act in 1931, the city and environs of Newcastle had been brought under control. The powers of the board covered such matters as (1) what persons may be registered as dairymen or milk venders, (2) fixing the minimum price to be paid to dairymen and also the maximum price fcr wholesale and retail distribution, (3) establishing grades of milk, (4) collection of milk, (5) regulating the hours of retail delivery, (6) carrying on research work and investigation with a view to improving methods of production, collection, treatment, and distribution of milk. Subject to the consent of the executive the board may also regulate and control the methods and conditions of /apply in producing areas, and engage in the wholesale and retail distribution on its own behalf. The price of milk at the present time was fixed in 1932 by a board which had now ceased to function. This worked out at approximately lid a gallon in the country factories, and the wholesale price of milk in Sydney was Is 5d a gallon. '■ " . .The supervision of the board -included a regular inspection of dairymen's and venders' premises and equipment, the maintenance of a continuous bacteriological examination at various stages between production and consumption, the examination of samples for tubercule baccillv ;and the inspection .of herds. At the present time there were four grades of milk in Sydney; raw milk, pasteurised milk, special raw milk, and special pasteurised. The last-named grades had special grading because of coming from specially-run dairy-farms. The administration of the Act and costs were met from the funds of the board and were not a charge on consolidated revenue. The funds in the main came from registration fees, which totalled approximately £ 19,000 a year. The board conducted publicity in an endeavour to increase the consumption of milk, and it also supported and participated in activities dealing with the health of • the community. . The institution of milk bars in Sydney was due largely .to publicity, and their popularity was evidenced by the increasing number being opened throughout the metropolitan area. In conclusion Mr. Nesbitt said that the consumption of milk in Sydney had risen by over 3,000,000 gallons in two years. Mr.. Nesbitt will be in New Zealand for about three weeks.