MILK SUPPLY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 89, 12 October 1937, Page 17

MILK SUPPLY

MUNICIPAL SCHEME (By Telegraph—Press Association.) , AUCKLAND, October 11. Belief in the municipalisation of the milk supply was expressed in a resolution carried ;at a meeting of. the City Council tonight. The resolution also embodied a decision that representations should be made, to the Government to give the people of Auckland the right to elect all members of the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council by popular franchise. The resolution was moved by Mr. J. Purtell, Who had also given notice to move that there should be rescinded two resolutions passed by the council, one in 1935 approving proposed amendments to the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Act, 1933, and the other in 1936 supporting further amending legislation in respect of the Auckland milk supply. Both resolutions were rescinded. Several speakers expressed opposition to Mr. Purtell's motion. After he had introduced it, Councillor L. J. Coakley said he was not in favour of municipalisation, and that at Wellington vast expenditure had been necessary to achieve what had been done. Councillor H. P. Burton said he considered the move unnecessary. If the proposed amendments to the law were carried, the milk council would have power to municipalise the milk supply. The Hon. B. Martin, M.L.C., said this was friie, bui"lf ; the council did hot desire to municipalise the supply the fact that it had legal power to c'.o so would not alter matters. The Mayor, Sir Ernest Davis, said he wished to make it clear he was not opposed to a municipal milk supply. He did not know enough about it, however, to express a complete opinion, and wished there was more information before the council before it was called upon to make a decision. The resolution was carried. DELAY IN CHRISTCHURCH (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, October 11. On the casting vote of the Mayor, Mr. J. W. Beanland, the City Council tonight decided that it would not for the present seek the introduction of i Bill to Parliament giving power to the council to establish a municipal monopoly of the milk industry in the :ity. The council made this decision when it was recommended that Mr. T. H. McCombs, M.P., and the Hon. W. Hayward, ; M.L.C., be requested to take :harge of the Bill. The resolution carried was that the Bill be - not submitted to Parliament until the council bought fit and until after the return from abroad of the chairman of the Tiilk committee, Sir Hugh Aclahd. Councillor Acland is expected to return about the middle of December. The establishment of an industry at Hhristchurch under the ownership and control of the Christchurch City Council is recommended by the manager of the Wellington City Council Milk Department, Mr. R. E. Herron, : .n.a report that was tabled at tonight's meeting. . Mr. Herron, who investigated the milk industry, in the city last May, :orisiders that" the industry is in a nost chaotic condition, with producers ind venders unable to ensure a reasonable return for their work or to give i supply of the necessary quality and lygiene. ; Pasteurisation of .milk is favoured by Mr. Herron. If it should je necessary to make available a supply of raw milk, he considers that t should be of certified quality only, aut this would be more expensive ;han pasteurised milk. Mr. Herron suggests the sale of jottled pasteurised milk for the six tummer months at s|d a quart, and for the' six winter months at 6d. a juart. The capital required to estabish a municipally-owned and controlled undertaking, exclusive of the amount needed for meeting compensation. would be about £220,000.