CONTROLLING MILK

Northern Advocate, 25 October 1935, Page 10

CONTROLLING MILK

BILL DELAYS HOUSE AUCKLAND SUPPLY. ; ONLY TWO VOTES AGAINST MEASURE. : ' IFrom Our Parliamentary Special.! ■ WELLINGTON, This Day. After, some- delay the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Amendment Bill / lias been put through the House of Representatives, and yesterday it was passed without further amendment. Mr A. J. Stallworthy (Independent— Eden) and Mr A. Harris (Government —Waitemata) both spoke against the principle of control. Mr Stallworthywhen the , second reading debate was resumed- yesterday, said that so late in the session it was quite unreasonable to proceed with a bill so important. The bill should not be rushed through, but carefully considered, although the Milk Couiicir should be absolved from any blame.

-Wide Alterations. Mr Stallworthy said that alterations made by the Local Bills Committee were ~of a'very wide nature. It was thought that there was., .trouble in store. The Milk Council and the Hospital Board had differences,- and’there was up: doubt that the board would be > px'ejhdxced‘;by the passage;’ of the bill. . After the bill had been put through it'would be too late to expect successful' negotiations to take place. Mr W. P. Endean (Government — Parnell);: “The Hospital Board would have'the right of appeal if any difficulty arose.” Mr Stallworthy said his chief concern was for the protection of the consumer’s interests. There were many people in Auckland who had to go short of milk on jaccpunt of high prices. He objected ,to the inclusion of . shipping in the milk district. “Changed His Front.” Two Labour members, Mr J. A. Lee (Grey Lynn) and Mr W. J. Jordan (Mabukau), said that Mr Stallworthy suddenly had changed his front in the interests of the welfare of the consumers. They pointed out to Mr Stallworthy,. that, in the past, he had voted for,; cuts/ in salaries and pension .rates, "■ ' . ' ' Mr Stallworthy denied these accusations with heat. Mr Jordan: “The test will come later.” No Axe to Grind. ; Mr Endean, replying to the debate, said the control of milk supply was being adopted in many countries. He knew that it was rumoured that he (Mr Endean) had an axe to grind in connection with the bill. He emphatically denied that he had any interests in the milk trade. As he was a member for Auckland he had been requested to take charge of the bill, and, although he realised that the bill would meet with some opposition, he did not shirk any responsibilities. When Mr Endean had concluded his reply to the debate, Mr Stallworthy on the second reading motion insisted ,pn a division. There was loud laugh-