MILK DISTRIBUTION

Evening Star, Issue 22952, 9 May 1938, Page 9

MILK DISTRIBUTION

MUHIGIPALISATION OPPOSED MR MUNRO TAKEN TO TASK “ I am not satisfied' that a municipal scheme is the best solution of the milk problems that exist to-day, and tor that reason I arn not in favour of it at the present time,” said Mr A. H. Allen when the subject came up tor discussion at Kaikorai on Saturday night. “It may be that when the matter has been more fully investigated I may be convinced of the necessity for such ajtion, but until then I can say I do not approve of the project. But what I would like to emphasise even more is my uncompromising objection to the council taking any action at all in the direction of spending nearly a quarter of a million pounds on such a scheme without first of all getting the consent of the ratepayers.” Mr Allen, in reply to a questioner, said ho did not think there was a great deal to complain of in the city* present supply, and he certainly did not agree with Mr Munro’s remarks about the watering of milk. When he read Mr MHmro’s unfair statements on the subject ho had looked up the figures with respect to the testing of milk, and he was convinced that what Mr Munro had said was unfair not only to the milk vendors of the city, but also to the staff of the General. Committee of the council, whose duty it was to keep a watchful eye on this aspect of the milk supply. He felt that they would agree with him when they heard the figures which he had obtained from the Sanitary Department, which dealt with milk inspection. In 11 years the council’s officers bad detected only 15 eases of watered milk, and the last of these had been in June, 1937. _ For two years prior to that not a single ease had been reported. The inspection for adultera; tion was no casual process, either, said Mr Allen. In tha peroid with which he was dealing 725 tests had been made for added water, and they should remember that every one or these was a surprise test. Vendors had no idea when they might be called upon to offer milk for inspection. “ I think that the milk vendors of this city have reason to be incensed at the insinuations contained in Mr Munro’s statement,” concluded Mr Allen, “ and I can honestly say that if a municipal milk scheme should be necessary it would not be on account of the adulteration of present supplies. We have a system of testing which ensures good, healthy, and clean milk, but I do think that some system that may be expected to eliminate wasteful overlapping and unnecessary overhead costs can be devised to improve the position.”