PRICES FOR MILK

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 106, 1 November 1943, Page 3

PRICES FOR MILK

"In the comment made in 'The Post' on Saturday on Mr. J. Maher's statement in connection with milk prices, there is a misstatement which I desire to correct," stated Councillor M. Fraser, chairman of the milk committee of the City Council today. "The comment," said Councillor Fraser, "was made over the telephone in response to an inquiry from a 'Post' reporter, who, no doubt, through misunderstanding and in condensing the matter, made me say 'there was no obligation on the council to pay the increase.' This is not correct, as there is a clause in our agreement with the farmers which requires that the basic price agreed on follows any change in the guaranteed price, up or down. When I stated that the council had paid the increase granted in the guaranteed price, I went on to explain that the guaranteed price applied to farmers supplying butter and cheese factories, and that farmers supplying milk to other cities and towns in the Dominion had to have their own arrangements as to the price, which varies considerably in the centres, received for their milk, and that any increase in the guaranteed price was not paid to such farmers; but they were all subject (including Wellington) to any price controls imposed within the Dominion."