AUCKLAND’S MILK

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 165, 13 June 1936, Page 8

AUCKLAND’S MILK

RATIONALISATION OF SUPPLY

APPROVAL BY COMMISSION

Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 12

Vindication of tho Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council’s jsolicy and support on nearly all points for the increased powers sought by it are given in the report of the Executive Commission of Agriculture on its inquiry into the city’s milk trade held in Auckland in March. The report recommends to Parliament that the powers be granted subject to certain safeguards. When the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Amendment Bill was before Parliament in 1935 certain clauses were deferred and referred to the Executive Commission for a report, and it was these clauses that Sir Francis Frazer (deputy-chairman), and Messrs D. Jones and G. A. Duncan inquired into. The council indicated that it wished to proceed with three clauses. The first would give it power to resolve that after 60 days it had the sole right to purchase all milk for district supply. The second, which was described as an emergency clause in case the existing interests refused to carry out the services at reasonable rates, would give power to engage in the purchase, collection, treatment, storage, distribution and manufacture of milk. The third clause would enable the council to make a special levy as security for a loan to carryout it powers. The chief alteration the Commisison recommends is that the right of appeal in tlie fixatipn of prices should be provided in the form of an independent tribunal consisting of three members, one of whom should be a Stipendiary Magistrate. The only other changes in the council’s original clauses are limiting of the proposed levy to $d a gallon and safeguards against the council using its emergency powers without sufficient reason, lliese provide that manufacturing should not be engaged in while existing dairy factories are willing to take all the available surplus at reasonable prices,/and that treating or selling should not be entered on without the consent of the Minister of Agriculture. Tlie report declares the existing system to be uneconomic and considers that increased powers are necessary for the purposes of the original Act to be carried out. It says the council has done excellent work under great difficulties and that on a logical view Parliament must grant added powers or repeal the Act. The latter course would result in the evils which originally existed recurring.