PROPOSED MILK ACT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 3, 1 December 1944, Page 5

PROPOSED MILK ACT

AMENDMENTS TO BILL POWERS OF COUNCIL (Press Assn.) WELLINGTON, Dec 1 The Milk Bill was reported back from the Milk Bill Committee with extensive amendment when tho House of Representatives met this morning. Included in the amendments is provision for the setting up of a Central Milk Council to consist of the Minister of Health, the Director of Milk Marketing, one person to bo selected from a panel of not less than three persons nominated by tho Municipal Association of New Zealand and appointed on the recommendation of the Minister of Health, two persons (one from the South Island and one from the North Island) nominated by some organisation or organisations of persons engaged in the production of milk for human consumption and appointed on the recommendation of the Minister of Agriculture, and two other persons—one to be a woman deemed to be the representative of the interests of women and children. These latter two are to bo appointed on the recommendation of tho Minister of Health.

The Minister of Agriculture may request such organisation or organisations of persons engaged in milk production to nominate such number of persons as he may specify to enable him to determine who shall be recommended as representatives of tho North and South Islands. The Minister of Health will be chairman of the council, and the members, apart from the Minister and the Director of Milk Marketing, will be appointed for three years. Fees, allowances, and travelling expenses are to be paid to the members of the council. COUNCIL'S OBJECTS.

The general objects of the council include the provision of an adequate s.ipply of milk of good quality and the organisation of tho production, treatment, and distribution of milk on an economic basis, having regard to the need for an adequate supply of milk. The functions of the council will also include research and investigation relating to milk and milk products, and the promotion of improved methods of producing and handling milk (including the distribution of milk in sealed containers). The council 'is also empowered to make recommendations to the Government regarding milk districts, and also as to standards of milk, and to guide and supervise the activities of milk authorities.

Power is given the council to direct a milk authority to operate pasteur 7 isation plants. Inquiries may be made by the council into the adequacy of steps taken by local _ milk nuthoritics in carrying out their functions and as to the maximum amount that may be pa-d for the goodwill of businesses of milk vendors.

SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES. Disputes between milk authorities and vendors may be referred to the council for settlement. After -consulta-' tion with the milk authorities, the council may fix the maximum amounts to be. paid for the goodwill of businesses. Public notice shall be given of the determination of the goodwill, and after that notice anyone selling or buying the goodwill of the vendor at a price exceeding the amount fixed is liable to a fine of £2O, or twice the amount of the excess, whichever is the greater. The Milk Marketing Division is charged with the administration of the Act. Two clauses relating to unearned margins and their application are deleted. The clause dealing with the organisation of milk producers is deleted and is replaced by a clause providing for approval by the Central Milk Council of producers' associations and supply associations. Where only one association of milk prouueers is approved for a district and the council is satisfied that that association can supply all the milk for the district, the council shall approve of that association as the supply association for that district. Where more than one association of producers is approved for a district and the council is satisfied that those associations together can supply the district, then the council may direct those associations to form a committee of supply which shall be approved as the supply association for the district. There shall not be more than one supply association for any district. Mr W. T. Anderton (Lab., Eden), on behalf of the committee, said the committee recommended that the Bill be allowed to proceed without amendment.

Mr' P. G. Connolly (Lab.. Dunedin West), reported that at its final meeting the committee unanimously thanked the chairman (Mr Anderton) for his services during the hearing and expressed appreciation of his firmness, fairness, and tact in the conduct of the committee's business.