PRICE OF MILK.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 May 1944, Page 3

PRICE OF MILK.

[TO THE EDITOR.] Sir,—l read with interest the report of the meeting of the Greymouth dairymen, in last Tuesday’s “Star, and I must say that the dairymen certainly have a case and every reason to kick. There is no doubt that farm implements and fodder have gone up in price, (with the blessing of tne Price Tribunal) to such an extent tnat the dairymen have reached the stage where thev either have to pass the “buck” to the consumer or go out oi business. , 1 n „ z , Now, Sir, what I would like to know is this: —Who is going to carry the “Baby”? The War Expenses Account or the public? I would say that if ihe miners, watersiders, etc. can be subsidised from the War Expenses, Account, so. can the dairymen. If tne price of milk is increased who does it hit most? Not the person who purchases a pint or a quar,t daily but like all other increases it “soaks the family man. These figures may give your readers some, idea of what tins increase is going to mean. 1 quart daily at 8d = £l2/3/4 pei year. Increase £l/10/5. 2 quarts daily at 8d = £ 19/0/ 2:-, per year. Increase £3/0/10. 3 quarters daily at 8d = £36/9/per year. Increase £4/11/3. 4 quarts daily at 8d £4B/12/4 per year. Increase £6/1/8. As a man with three or more of a family uses two quarts or more a day one can easilv see what the position is going to be. Either the War Expenses Account carries the “baby" or tne public will need another increase m wages. What'l would suggest to .the dairymen is that they try milking the War Expenses Account as the public s pocket is already dry. „