MILK SHORTAGE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 88, 15 April 1939, Page 15

MILK SHORTAGE

AUCKLAND SUPPLIES

REQUIREMENTS WILL BE MET

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, April 14.

With the continued co-operation of farmers, the chairman of the Auckland Milk Council, Mr. I. J. Goldstine, is confident that, in spite of the dry season, it will be possible to maintain adequate supplies of milk for Auckland. Mr. Goldstine made a statement to this effect as a meeting of the council.

He referred to the difficulties experienced in procuring supplies, but assured members that the council's officers were in close touch with the position. No efforts had been spared by them in making arrangements for milk to come into the city and valuable help had been received from the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited.

Mr. Goldstine considered it was the duty of the council to make an investigation to see what supplies of milk were available, not only this season, but also in future. A record of all available supplies would be invaluable and he thought it would be well worth while for this investigation to be made immediately by the council's officers.

Mr. R. H. Ockleston said that in a lifetime of experience he had never known a season so consistently bad for the farmer. Further, there was likely to be a tremendous shortage of feed in the winter.

Mr. H. P. Burton said the spirit of co-operation had been exceedingly fine.

Mr. J. Haslam doubted whether it would be possible to keep the schools scheme in operation.

The chairman said the children's supply would not be dispensed with.

"You can take it from me that there will be an adequate supply of milk for them," he said. "I am satisfied that, though we won't have our ordinary winter supply, with the additional sources we will tap we will be able to maintain the requirements of the city and the children."

Mr. Lovegrove said that if producers were going to keep up their winter supply it was absolutely necessary for there to be a free market of bran. He had tried that morning to buy bran, but had been unsuccessful. He moved that the council make representations to the Wheat Committee for the provision of adequate supplies of bran at the lowest cost. He added that it would mean lifting the embargo on Australian bran.

The motion was carried. The council also decided to write to the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, expressing appreciation. of the company's co-operation in maintaining the city's milk supplies.