THE MILK SUPPLY QUESTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13940, 27 June 1907, Page 6

THE MILK SUPPLY QUESTION.

Lv his recent references to the intentions of his Department in the matter of dairy inspection the Minister of Agriculture left a loophole for inquirv ns to wlmfc wns to be done for the private consumer of milk as contrasted with the dairy factory, and the occa-' won is ono upon which a revived prominence is not unfittingly bestowed upon Di -Mason's scheme whereby the municipal bodies shall be an important factor in tlio distribution of milk. The Chief Health Officer evidently adheres strongly to the news previously expressed by him in this connection. Ho favours the municipal control of the milk supply of a city to the extent that the municipality should undertake the distribution of milk within its boundaries. He does not favour the idea that the milk should be collected from the various dairies, but suggests a municipal depot or " clearing house" where all the milkintended for the community should be received by officials'and pasteurised or otherwise treated to rid it of impurities before being sent out to consumers. Dairymen would sell their milk to the municipal depot instead of to a number of customers, and it is an essential feature of Dr Mason's scheme that the sale of milk which had not passed through the depot should be prohibited within a certain area. The reason for this is seen in Dr Mason's explanation that "the work can only be properly carried out by municipal or other public depots, because it would not pay anyone to build and maintain a- large clearing house unless ho possessed power to prohibit the sale within a certain area of any milk that did not come from the depot." Nobody can doubt that the purpose of Dr Mason's scheme is a thoroughly admirable one. The general laxity and carelessness of people in regard to so universal and easily contaminated an article of diet as milk is common knowledge. We are all aware of the devious ways in which milk, even it free from reproach on leaving tlio daily, may become unpleasantly deteriorated—however inappreciable the deterioration may be to the ordinary senses—by the time it reaches the breakfast table. It is to remedy tho ills we suffer from this source that the municipal ' pasteurising factory and sealed bottle project is put forward. The. yearly toll which impure milk, allied' to improper feeding, levies upon the infant life of the colony is unfortunately all too heavy and is itself justification for the advocacy of a reform in tile system of milk distribution. In this connection it is satisfactory to note that the excellent system of humanised milk distribution inaugurated in Dunedin by Dr King is commanding the attention it deserves in other centres. Dr Mason's proposals are, of course, intended to confer much wider benefits. No doubt the system he advocates would achieve much of what he claims for it, and into the comparative merits of pasteurised and non-pasteurised milk there is no occasion to go. The municipalization of our milk supply to the extent that Dr Mason advocates might bo worth the candle, but it is not suggestive of plain sailing altogether in its details. It is a matter of some delicacy even to protect a man against himself, and it is not less so to interfere with his food supply. There are even people who might be righteously indignant at the thought that they should be debarred from receiving any other kind of milk than that which had passed through a municipal depot, and who, with a strong prejudice against all methods of treating milk, might assert a vociferous claim to be supplied with a more tasty if more germ-impregnated article. Milk, of course, is an article of diet that stands on a quite exceptional footing, and while all sensible people would heartily welcome a reform that gave them certainty that their daily milk supply was all it should be, vet there is such a thing as too much compulsion, and a more ideal method, it might be argued, would be to dducate people till their demand for that certainty dictated to milk suppliers the obvious course for them to take iu thoir own interests.

Municipalisation is not. desirable whore it is likely to interfere unduly with privato enterprise, and it does not always make for efficiency. That the community would be as well and promptly served by a municipal depot as by private companies or individuals kept up to the mark by competition might reasonably be doubted, for muni, cipal service has no great reputation to maintain. Dr Mason seems to think dairymen would welcome his schemo if only for the certainty of payment that would attach to it. It may.be so, but it would bo interesting to know upon just what thoroughly equitable and satisfactory system the dairymen would supply ono customer in place of many. In Dunedin, again, whore the municipal authorities already have their hands almost too full with various undertakings, the prospect of their becoming identified with a large milk supply scheme is not to bo seriously contemplated. Private enterprise has made a start with an admirable work in this connection, if only a start, but, wo hope that, despite Dr Mason's misgivings on the subject, such work will he so appreciated that it will come to be enormously extended. The consideration which Dr Mason's proposals is apparently receiving from some municipal bodies in the North Island may throw more light on its feasibility or otherwise. It is well that- tbe matter is again receiving prominence, and tho Chief Health Officer is entitled to every support in his desire to bring about reforms of unquestionable importance and hasten a day when the milkman may fittingly ""0 the words of the poet: ,: 01i, milk and water: ye happy mixtures of more happy days!"

11l the oourse of his spcech at the Wellington reception last night Sir Joseph Ward, after complimenting Ihc people of Wellington on tho heartiness of their reception, read tho King's messago to thepeoplo of new Zealand. This was received with loud cheering. Tho King had expressed his interest in the welfare of tho people of New Zoaland, and his pleasure at tho rapid strides New Zealand was making in industrial and social progress! Tho Kinowished New Zealand and her peoplo all prosperity and happiness.—(Cheers.) Tho Trimo Minister went on to say that tho King was in splendid health, and carrying out the magnificent work i|p<jn which ho had cinbai'kod of endeavouring to establish the pcaco of tho world. What lie was doing in that respect would redound to his credit for all time.—(Choew.) 110 was doing that work with nil the tact and extraordinary ability ho had displayed since ho had ascended tho Throne. 110 was doing a vast, amount of work that was making England more respected by her own people and even by those not belonging to her.—(Cheers.) Beguiled by a promising morning not a a few residents of Dunedin left their homes after lunch yesterday with neither mackintosh nor umbrella, and consequently found thoir garments absorbing moisture from above at about 3 p.m. Somo of these hurried home or into shelter, hiding walk-ing-sticks as things to be ashamed of. Others defiantly declared that it was only a drizzle, and kept, out in it, but in a quarter of an hour they were wet through, anil wendwl thoir bedraggled way homewards convinced of tho penetrating properties of a " Scotch mist." > I ho Mayor (Mr J. Loudon), accompanied by iho Railway District Engineer (Mr P. \\. Mac Lean), Cr Wilson, ami the town clerk.(Mr H. \\\ Richards), paid a visit to Cavot'shani yesterday to confer upon a number of matters in connection with the duplication of tho line. Tho particular matters dealt with were in regard to getting a temporary footpath on Wilkio road; an endeavour to induce the Railway Department to givo a small piece 1 of ground on the south sido of Sidev'.s bridge to enable a widening of the road at that point and a better approach through the bridge; and tho deviation of tlio road which tho Railway Department wishes to mako on what is known as tlie Valley road, or the short cut up to Lookout Point. Wo understand that satisfactory understandings wero come to between the Railway Department and the representatives of the City Council. These, no doubt, will bo submitted to the council in due time. Yesterday's meeting of the Benevolent' Institution Trustees was attended by Messrs Talboys (chairman), Tapper, Larnach, Arkle, Gallaway, LoCren, Burnett, Kempthorne, and Oaptain Kasthor, Tho cost of maintenance at the institution for tho month was reported to be £342 12s'4d, which meant an average of 6s 4d per head per week. Eleven relief eases wero dealt with. Finishing touches are now being applied to the intoTior of tho now Art Gallery in tho form of paint and plaster. Somo of the halls aro already swept and garnished, and only attait tho pictures to bo complete. Tlio central hall is, however, still in tho hands of tho workmen, and is a gigantic troll is-work of struts and stays and staging. Impartial critics declaro th« cdifico to be a fino'pieco of architecture, but perhaps a little squat; but as it shares this (alleged) defect with the cathedral at Milan, it is in good company. Tho Art Gallery, a.s far as tho workmen aro concerned, will probably be (finished by Friday week. Consideration of the decisions which havo been arrived at by the Friendly Societies' Conference in Wellington was postponed at a meeting of the local branch of the British Medical Association last night ponding the arrival of the minutes of tho conference. Upon tho receipt of Ihoso a special meeting will bo hold to consider tho whole question. An inquest was held by Mr C. -0. Graham, coroner, at Church street, Kaikorai Valley, yesterday afternoon, on the body of Airs Creed, a married woman, whoso husband is working at Nightcaps. Deceased died suddenly on Monday evening while hanging out clothes. Dr Macdonald, who made a post-mortem examination, stated that death resulted from failure of tho heart's action, due to pericarditis. Evidence was also given by Ilonore Yura Creed, a daughter of the deceased, and the jury, of which Mr J. Hunter was foreman, returned a verdict in accordance with tho medical evidence. In his speech at Wellington last night Sir Joseph Ward excited, but did not satisfy, the curiosity of his audience by stating that there was in the Specch which tho Governor would deliver to-day one item that would give great pleasure to all clashes iu the colony. It was an item that would show tho peoplo that wo wero moving forward, and in somo respecta doing real good. It would plcaso every political olass in Now Zealand. Tho monthly meeting of tho Anderson's Bay School Committee was held on Tuesday evening. Mr C. S. Owen occupied the j chair, and there were also present—Messrs Duthie, licnnct, North, M'Adam, and Fair- ' bairn. Tlio Head Master reported an | average attendance of 124 for tho quarter. It was resolved to request the Education Board to supply a new grate in tho infant room, tho present ono being worn out. Mr Jefl'cry has arranged for Dr Marshall to deliver a lecture iu the Sunday School Hall at an early date in aid of tlio school funds. It was unanimously resolved that a letter of thank l ! bo sent to the Otago Agricultural and I'astoval Society for its kindness in allowing 4he school children . to visit the winter show free of charge

Mr V». Frater, M.H.R. for Wakatipu, arrived in Dunedin by tho fccond express last night on his way to Waikaka to attend a banquet which will bo held tonight in celebration of the commencement of tho Gore-Waik&ka railway. It is his intention to return to Wellington as quickly as possible. At a mooting of tho Portobcllo School Committee, hold on Monday evening, the following resolution was passed unanimously:—"That this committee strongly protests against tho Government using I.arnach's Castlo as a plaoo of confinement for criminal lunatics." A meeting of shareholders in the United Starr-Bovckclt- Society was held last evening for tho purposo of disposing of two appropriations of £500 each. Mr F. W. Mitchell (chairman of directors) presided, and there were about 25 shareholders present. In the ballot for one appropriation cluster No. 208, held by ono shareholder, was drawn, and the sale of the other appropriation was effected at. a premium of £15 jicr cent. In tho course of the -proceedings tho chairman mentioned that, n very fair numlicr of applications for shares iu tho No. 2 group had been received, while several inquiries had alto berti made. Tlio annual general meeting of members of the Navy League, called for to-morrow alternoon. has been postponed until Tuesday, July 2. Tho Mayor of Bcndigo lately presented a gold medal, bearing a suitable inscription, to Willio Phillips, aged seven, who attends tli'o Long Gully State School. The circumstances of tho caj?e as reported in I'no Melbourne papers aro unusually iirtci--osting. Recently ono of tho teachers, Mies Jfcson, gave a lesson to her class regarding tho steps that should be taken in cases of emergency, where a person might bo drowning or get burned. The scholars were then directed in prepare homo lessons bearing on tho subject. A littlo girl named Phillips, after finishing her essay, read it over aloud to her littlo brother Willie, who took a keen interest, in the question, notwithstanding tho fact- that he is not much more than an infant. A week or two later his sister's dress caught fire. The elder boy, who witnessed the occurrence, endeavoured to put out tho fire, and was severely injured about tho hand 3. ' Tlio littlo lioy Willie promptly rolled his sister over sand, which extinguished tlio flames, and although tho girl had sustained serious injury, her life was saved. Tho teachers of tho school wei'o so pleased with tlio littlo fellow's bravery and presence of mind that they contributed to the oost of tho medal. Tho Mayor, in formally making the presentation, expressed gratification at knowing that such useful information was being imparted to young people. Mr Mcddings, tho electrical export in charge of tho cable-repairing operations, now proceeding in Cook Strait, has a theory that there is a good deal of thermal activity in tho bod of tho strait. He is led to this belief by tho peculiar manner in which tho outer armour of tlio cable (between Lyoll Bay and White's Bay) has boon affected. At some places the cable was found to bo as sound as tho day it was laid down, yet at no groat distance away places have been found whore tho outer ring of stout copper wire has corroded almost through. This he attributes •!o the action of sulphur springs on tho floor of the ocean. Asked if there were any manifestations on tho surface of any Slid activity, he staled that so far as he was aware none had over been seen, but tliat did not weaken his theory, as the depth was in the vicinity of ICO fathoms, and tho action of the strong currents in the strait would effectually conceal any trace of effervescence that the springs might, otherwise produce. Some supjiort is given to Mr Meddings's theory in that «t times roasting steamers have observed numbers of dead fish floating on the surface in tlm strail, which may have met their fate through some submarine disturbance of more than usual violence. At tho quarterly licensing meeting of the V.'hangarei district (says tlm New "Zealand Herald) Mr CWruth applied for an additional bar at, the Whangarei Hotel. Mr Dyer said the Bench had no power to grant more than ono bar to any ono hotel, according to the act. Mr Carrnth held if to be a peeuliaf fact that, many hotels in Auckland had distinct bars. Mr Dver said the Auckland licensees were careful to avoid the terms of tho act prohibiting extra public bars, by arranging that not more than ono bar in any individual hotel opened directly ou lo a public place. Technically, such a bar was not a bar within the meaning of the act.' There was no hotel in Auckland which had a license for moro than ono bar. A renewal of the former license, with oho bar, would bo gianted, but what the owners or licensee of the hotel might choose to do afterwards would ba done at their own risk. Dorothy, Milliner, High street, is having sale of high-class English model hata! Usual prices ranged from Sis Gil to -15s. price to dear is 17» Get. A really nice line of girls' ready-to-wear felts, -is M. were 7s C<l. ifolor scarfs, belts, hosiery, all at reduced prieei.—Advt. , Colonial Blanket".—Our special blanket, douMe-bei site, at 18s ta, is the best possible value to bs had for the money.—Mollisons Ltd.—Advt. There is something pleasure-giving and tatisiving in tho silver and plated goods that G. and T. Young, o[ 68 Princes street, are displaying. Hare you seen their windows?— Advf, Plague Precautions.—Don't run any risks. A liberal uso of K.P, Fluid, the non-poisonous diMiifertunt. wii; keep _ vour d rn j nß an j g j ll](3 clear of disease germs. K.P. Fluid is a most power,ul germicide. 9d and Is ad. Chemist and s.orckcepers.—Advt. For Children s Hacking Cough at niiht «oof, s f,reat Poppcrmint Cure. Is6d&2s6d V.uo ~ XJeck?—Th 0 most reliable >atcliniaKer ana Joweller. opposite Coffee . ■ ff. , or '- 7 P !,cc ' Dunedin. Oliargor »trictly mod#me.-Adrt.'