NO TUBERCULOSIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23381, 24 June 1939, Page 16

NO TUBERCULOSIS

CITY'S MILK SUPPLY REGULAR ANALYSES MADE ASSURANCE TO THE PUBLIC THE REPORT FROM SOUTHLAND Tlio freedom of tho city's milk supply from tubercular bacteria was emphasised by several members of tho Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council at a meeting yesterday, when reference was made to an Invercargill statement that 6.9 per cent of tho dairy cows of the Dominion wero infected with tuberculosis. It was stated that tho council's regular returns of milk analyses showed no signs of tuberculosis.

Mr. 11. F. W. Meiklo said ho hoped tho Auckland public would not bo alarmed by tho statements which had emanated from Invercargill. Tho position in tho city was better to-day than it had ever been, and tho regular returns furnished to tho council had revealed no sign of the _ disease. It would bo u good thing if tho public were made familiar with tho council's testing system. Since tho council had como into being tho quality of tho milk supplied to the city had lniproved out of bounds. "The tests have revealed no tubercular milk," stated the chairman, Mr. 1. J. Goldstine. "In view of tho reports from Southland it is wiso that these assurances should be given. Apparently there arc difficulties in somo other centres, but so far as tho council's area is concerned no trouble whatsoever is being experienced with tubercular milk." Ono of tho producers' representatives on the council, Mr. 0. J. Lovegrove. said his own herd was regularly tested for tuberculosis and during tho last three years there had been a negative reaction. He considered his experienco might be taken as a reasonable guide to the condition of most of the herds, in the district. THE COSTS OF DISTRIBUTION RETURNS FROM THE VENDORS Tho rescission of a motion passed at a meeting on April 28, asking vendors to supply returns dealing with tho costs of distribution, was advocated by Mr. J. Haslam at a meeting of the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council yesterday. He stated that the vendors did not contemplate requesting any further price increase for at least 12 months, and tho preparation of such a return as tho council sought involved them in considerable labour and expense. Mr. 11. P. Burton said the council needed the information for price fixation purposes. He felt sure that Mr. Haslam would not agree to the council making a mere shot in tho dark when it came to a question of accurately estimating a basis for costs. Tho last costs return had been obtained two or three years ago, said the secretary, Mr. N. R. Chapman. However, in' the intervening period details of costs had been obtained from somo of the larger firms. The motion to rescind the earlier resolution was lost, its only supporters being Mr. Haslam and Mr. R. B. Stonex.