PRICE OF MILK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10685, 3 September 1920, Page 5

PRICE OF MILK

INCREASE TO BD. PR QUART UNIFORM PRICE ALL YEAR . ROUND. The forecasted increase in the price of milk to the consumer, consequent upon a rise in the price of butter-fat to be paid to the farmer, was discussed by the City Council last evening. The milk committee recommended thSt the charge to the publio for milk be increased to 8d per quart as from September 9th. Councillor C. J. B. Norwood, chairman of the milk committee, pointed out that the milk committee was not responsible for tho statement that an increase was pending. The assumption probably arose from a telegram from Auckland stating that the Board of Trade had fixed tho price of milk in the centres at 83, for the summer season and 9d for the winter season. Since the supply in Auckland was more readily attainable and the winter was less severe than in Wellington,. it appeared to have been naturally inferred, that Wellington must at least rise to 8d or 9d. The committee was unable to correctly judge.the .probable prices light throughout the year; the Board of .Trade had definitely fixed the prices to be paid for the various periods of the year to the farmers. From September Ist to March 31st the price was fixed at Is 4d per gallon, from April Ist to May 31et Is 6d per gallon, and from January Ist to August 31st 2s per gallon. The committee had carefully considered these. priceß, and had fixed the price at Bd, and it was their intention to ,jry and [', maintain that figure throughout the 1 whole year, provided unforeseen difficulties were not encountered. Members of the committee, said Councillor Norwood, had this week paid a visit to the council's milk factory at Rahui. He hoped the Mayor and members of the council • would, during their present term of office, bo able to pay a visit to ; the country factory. The committee wais very-pleased with the services rendered to it by the superintendent of 'in layingout the grounds;: surrounding:-the sta.tion. , It would soon be a possession of which the city could be proud Of; it promised to be a beauty spot in the Otaki district. ; ,

Reverting to the proposed increase in the price of milk, Councillor Norwood said that the percentage of the rise the committee was recommending made the price corresponding exactly with that charged in 1915-16. The whole question had been studied by the committee, and by exercising' nomy,-it hoped't©|sell the milk'at'the' uniform price of 8d per quart all; the year round.

The Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke) said he had paid more than one visit to Eahui, and he was .very pleased with the factory. The council h.ad a very difficult problem to deal with in the mi:k ! question/ and should use every endeavour to strengthen the committee iu carrying out its work. It was doing its. best to k/eep the commodity as cheap as possible.'", J " _ \ .'., i ■uc-:;: "" Councillor Chapman 'said'" that' the rice would represent .a serious hardship on the" consumer. The council certainly was not to be blamed for the necessity in increasing the price. Had the council not taken control of the milk the cost would be at least 50 per cent, more to-day. Councillor J. Hutchison said that the council was a shuttlecock between the farmers aad the vendors, and,the only solution of the difficulty was for the council to have' its own- farm' 'and-to-control its own vending." ; '" : •i :: After further discussionthe committee's recommendation was. adopted.