AUCKLAND MILK SUPPLY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22835, 20 March 1936, Page 10

AUCKLAND MILK SUPPLY

METHOD OF PURCHASING EFFORT TO SECURE ECONOMY (Pee United Pbess Association) AUCKLAND. March 19. The disputed clauses of the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Amendment Bill, which were deleted by the Local Bills Committee of the House of Representatives in October, were discussed by representatives of all branches of the industry at a sitting of the Executive Commission of Agriculture to-day. Sir Francis Frazer presided, and with him were Messrs T. A. Duncan and David Jones. There was a large array of counsel and representatives of the various interests. . . Sir Francis Frazer, opening the sitting, said the purpose of the commission was to investigate the necessity for the disputed clauses, as requested by the Minister of Agriculture, for a report to the Government. The scope of the inquiry was strictly limited to those clauses. Mr J. B. Johnston, for the Milk Council, stated that the council could not hope to reduce prices to consumers unless the existing uneconomic methods of supply were overcome and wider powers were given to it. If the council did not get the milk supply, as a whole, vested in it, it could not cope with the situation, and would be up against a stone wall. Supporting evidence was given by the chairman of the Milk Council (Mr G, W. Hutchison), who said the councils idea was to leave the business in the hands of those who were now carrying it out.