NELSON’S MILK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 11 April 1945, Page 4

NELSON’S MILK

POOR QUALITY ALLEGED TAHUNANUI TOWN BOARD’S DISCUSSION QUESTION OF MINIMUM STANDARD The quality of milk supplied in Nelson was strongly criticised by members of the Tahunanuj Town Board last evening when a letter fro m the Central Milk Council was under discussion. The letter dealt with the setting up of m«lk authorities and the board was asked if it was prepared to operate as the local milk authority or whether it favoured co-operating with other local bodies in forming a metropolitan organisation. The Town Clerk, Nelson City Council wrote on the same subject and asked if the board was prepared to send representatives to a conference of the local bodies in the metropolitan area. Mr H. J. Sharp remarked that the trouble to-day was that there was already too much control in the milk industry. The present Government standard for milk was too low and supplies were being watered down and mixed with bad milk. Instead of the quality being built up it was being brought down. That was the curse of regulations. People were not going to receive better milk through that type of control.

“I quite agree with what Mr Sharp has said,” remarked Mr J. Logan. “The cream is separated from a certain amount of the milk before it is added to the remainder of the supplies.” ‘The suppliers are on a pretty good wicket,” said Mr C. E. G. Beatson. “It is over the minimum standard, but it’s pretty poor milk all the same. Mr Sharp: “It’s not the milk we were getting before zoning came in.”

Mr T. W. Roberts said he thought the important thing about the milk supply was that herds should be tested and the milk should be free of disease. The aim should be to obtain pure herds and richer milk. The cream was in the milk when it came from the cows and it should not be brought down to a minimum standard.

Mr Beatson pointed out that the test could not be made too high because of the marked drop in quality which inevitably occurred in the spring. After some further discussion it was resolved that Messrs C. H. Chamberlairv and T. W. Roberts represent the board at the conference to be called by the City Council.