POINTS EXPLAINED

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25021, 11 October 1944, Page 4

POINTS EXPLAINED

EXTENSIVE MEASURE ONUS ON NEW BODIES (5.8.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday It was intended to take the second reading of the. Milk Bill, after which it would be referred to a select committee, probably the Public Health Committee, said the Minister of Health, Mr Nordmeyer, in answer to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland, when the new measure was introduced in the House of Representatives today. Opportunities would be given for the taking of evidence. Explaining the bill, Mr Nordmeyer said it was the result of the recommendations made by the recent Royal Commission. The bill would place the onus of milk handling almost entirely on the "local authorities, and the Government would declare certain areas as milk areas. The metropolitan milk boards would consist of members ejected b.y the local authorities of the constituent districts included in the combined area. The milk authorities would have wide and extensive powers to carry on their work and they might, if they wished, take oyer the whole of the milk business in their areas, or might issue licences to those in the milk business. Mr W. J. Poison (Opposition—Stratford) : Is there to be any central national organisation to control the scheme? Mr Nordmeyer: The Government gave consideration to the question of local or national control. It was decided to give local authorities the chance to do the job. The Prime Minister. Mr Fraser, said that as the bill was a fairly lengthy and comprehensive measure it might be better to take the second reading debate on Wednesday week. Mr Holland indicated that this would be suitable.