PRICE OF MILK AND CREAM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21471, 20 April 1933, Page 13

PRICE OF MILK AND CREAM

Sir, —Recently tlio acting-chairman of the Dairy Produce Board directed attention to the fact that ono way of improving matters in connection with the dairy industry was " to encourage the consumption of milk within our own Dominion." This advice is sound, not only regarding its economic effect, but also to the fart that it will produco nioro vigorous children, which in turn must make for a betterment of the men and women to be. So far, so good, but what of the cost? Tlio price of milk is such that families who ought to consume two quarts of milk daily are mostly confined to a purchase of ono quart only, and in many instances only one pint is used. This is absolute starvation where a family is concerned. The chairman of the board should have made his remarks so as to embrace the consumption of cream. No doubt this was in his mind. The profiteering in the sale of cream is a scandal and some legislation should be brought to bear upon the matter. The position in regard to the sale of cream is somewhat 011 the following lines. Legalised cream contains 25 per cent fat, that is to say, in every gallon of cream 2J pounds of fat exist, so that each pint of cream contains five ounces of fat. If we take the price of butter-fat as existing to-day, eight pence per pound, as delivered to the factories, then it follows that each pint of cream is valued at 2sd 011 its fat content. I am a regular consumer of cream and it is my lot to pay at the door or counter one shilling for half a pint of cream or two shillings per pint as against a fat value of about 2Jd. If the price was 011 a reasonable basis it would very materially add to the consumption and help to solve tlio problem now lacing the dairy industry, 1 would add that I have quoted half a pint and ono pint of cream, but if consumers will go to tlio trouble, thev will find tlio half pints, also pints, are mean measure. Measure your next carton. If T were a farmer 1 would retail my cream around the towns —there is a gold mine in it under present conditions, even though the cream may contain a 40 per cent fat content. Cream at one shilling nor pint, or Rs per gallon, would materially stimulate consumption. However, it appears to me that the Government has every right to get busy in connection with tliis matter, and so assist those unfortunate families who have a difficulty to eko out au existence. Factory Manager.