CROSS AND COUNCILLORS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10062, 29 August 1918, Page 2

CROSS AND COUNCILLORS

(To the Editor "N.Z. Times/') Sir, —Your report of the interview between the milk councillors and the oow spankers is instructive. . There was at first much florid talk on the city milk scheme, for the benefit of tho farmers, but when the farmers’ turn came, facts instead of fads were uppermost. >', Councillor Norwood seemed to wish prices fixed regardless of varying climatic conditions and cost of production, which Mr Howell suggested affected prices. Asked by Mr Climie if the committee would fix prices of pollard and bran, Mr Norwood said the farmers were a powerful body and should take it up. But later on ho said he did not know that tho cost of feed affected the price of milk. Apparently the cows and tho costs did not enter into the calculations in "the City Council’s milk scheme. Coupons and iblocks so far are tie chief

factors we have heard' of. Cows and prices are not- controlled by coupons ana blocks. - i If the council starts by arranging precise details of supply by the farmers, prompt despatch ’ and transport by the railways, and prompt treatment and delivery to distributors’ by the, . council, there should be a chance ot consumers getting a fair supply- Faddist schemes of coupons and blocks will not concontribute an iota to secure good milk for customers ' When' they require ' it; both will have a contrary result. Councillor Norwood did not suggest that' the farmers should be paid in advance for their ill illd before delivery, as he wishes to force the citizens to do. Mr Norwood informed the farmers that milk vendors'were to bo compensated for loss of. business by . being benefited by the economies resulting from, the city milk station scheme, which collapsed vendors! Consider., the economies of the city milk station scehe, which collapsed in twenty-four hours after an expenditure of about .£3OOO. Wellington should deal honestly with the milk vendors, and make a proper allowance to them to recoup' their capital which they have invested in their business. It should not brand itself as out to confiscate any man’s business if it suits its convenience and advantage. It is interesting to, learn from Mr Howell that he blames the Board of Trade for the shortage of milk in Wellington this winter. It is doubtful if one in a ■ thousand knows who constitute the Board of Trade.—l am, etc., EMPLOYEE.