MILK ZONING

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 25, 30 January 1943, Page 6

MILK ZONING

WELLINGTON AREA

STARTING ON MONDAY

Milk zoning will be brought into operation in Wellington on Monday, according to an announcement made today by Mr. H. M. Christie, North Island Zoning Authority. "Milk vendors have already been given the lists of customers they are to serve," he said, "and they have, I understand, contacted the Householders in the areas allotted." Mr. Christie said the scheme would be on a voluntary basis at the outset, so that any anomalies and slight difficulties could be adjusted early. Zoning had been introduced already in almost every town in New Zealand, and, generally speaking, the scheme was working satisfactorily. In spite of the fact that people had been asked to accept milk they had not previously been purchasing, they apparently recognised the need for the zoning scheme and had accepted the change in the right spirit. "All the zoning schemes and rationalisation of transport generally are merely emergency measures," said Mr. Christie, "and have been introduced for the purpose of conserving tyres, petrol and man-power. It is hardly necessary to remind people of the very serious shipping losses due to enemy action. The less we use of everything that has to be brought here by ships, the less risk there is for the merchant seamen and the naval personnel who have to protect them. "It is surprising that there are still j individuals who complain about the i interference with what they term I their rights, considering that men are j required in many cases to sacrifice their businesses and go overseas. It should be recognised by everyone that we are extremely fortunate in New Zealand in having to give up so few of our privileges." PENALTIES FOR BREACHES. Mr. Christie added that the Welling- I ton scheme would be gazetted as soon as it had proved satisfactory, and conditions would be enforced. While no obstruction was expected, it was well for people to remember that severe penalties were provided for breaches of the regulation. The Government required that where pasteurised milk was obtainable it should be made available to the public, and as the Wellington City Milk Department supplied over 13,000 gallons a day it would be impracticable to arrange for the delivery of this quantity by the milk venders. It was considered that as this supply and delivery are well organised it should not be interfered with.