MILK COUNCIL CRITICS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21844, 5 July 1934, Page 12

MILK COUNCIL CRITICS

REPLY BY CHAIRMAN PROTEST TO GOVERNMENT Resentment at statements made in Parliament on Tuesday night reflecting on the administration of the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Act was expressed yesterday by Mr. G. W. Hutchison, chairman of the Auckland Milk Council. The remarks complained of were made during the debate on the bill introduced by Mr. A. Harris, member for Waitemata, aiming at the repeal of the Milk Act. Mr. Hutchison forwarded the following telegram to tine Hon. R. Masters, Minister of Industries and Commerce:—"l strongly resent statements reported in the press to have been made in the House alleging bad administration of the Act by the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council. Not one member of Parliament has applied to the Milk Council for information regarding its proceedings. I shall be glad if you will see that an opportunity is afforded for evidence to be submitted before the Parliamentary Committee." It is proposed to refer the bill to a committee. Later in the day Mr. Hutchison received a reply from the Minister stating he had noted the representations and would be; pleased to place them before the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes. . "My decisions in this and in all other matters in which I am concerned will be based on the evidence before me from time to time, and they will certainly not be influenced by political pressure," said Mr. Hutchison, in referring to the suggestion credited to Mr. Harris that he hoped the ventilation of grievances in Parliament would result in the Milk Council meeting and deciding to reduce the price of milk. Mr. Hutchison said ho felt sure that his views on this matter would be shared by the other members of the Milk Council.

The Herald's Parliamentary reporter telegraphed last night that Mr. Forbes, in response to an inquiry, said Mr. Hutchison could be assured that an opportunity would bo given for evidence to be tendered to the committee on behalf of the Milk Council.

MOVEMENT FOR REPEAL ATTITUDE OF BOROUGHS Objection to tho • council supporting a movement for the repeal of the Anck> land Metropolitan Milk Act was made by Mr. W. G. Mulholland at a mooting of tho One Tree Hill Borough Council last night. The matter was raised by a letter from the Auckland Suburban Local Bodies' Association asking tho council to take steps to obtain "signatures to a petition praying the Government to repeal tho Act, and asking for a donation of £1 Is toward tho expenses incurred in this connection. The Mayor, Mr. I. J. Goldstine, said that as ho was Mayor and a member of tho Milk Council, he did not intend to vote or to influence the council in any way. Mr. Mulholland raised no objection to the donation of £1 Is, which was authorised without dissent, but no further action was taken. ,

A similar letter was favourably received at a meeting of tho Newmarket Borough Council last night. It was decided to contribute £1 Is toward the expenses the association had incurred. The Mayor, Air. S. Donaldson, said a petition for tho repeal of the Act was being circulated in the borough and it was meeting with good support. A decision not to support the repeal of tho Act was mado at a meeting of the Devonport Borough Council last night. The council donated £1 Is toward the expenses.