MILK ZONING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24851, 26 February 1942, Page 4

MILK ZONING

SCHEME FOR-DUNEDIN COMMENCEMENT ON SUNDAY GRADUAL OPERATION BY COMPANIES The delivery of milk unde? the zoning system will begin in Dunedin on Sunday morning. Making -this announcement yesterday, Jn&'isfcrdtary of the Dunedin Milk Zoning Committee. Mr J. W. Wilson, said that the decision was subject to the approval of the Minister of Supply, Mr D. G. Sullivan, to whom details of the proposed scheme had been communicated. It was expected that approval would be given oy telegram to-day. Mr Wilson added that the three companies concerned .would not have their zoning scheme fully in operation until April 1, as some unforeseen difficulties had been encountered to prevent their having their plans completed by the end of this month. He emphasised, however, that the choice of raw' or pasteurised milk would be available to the public as from Sunday. Standard Prices It was expected, he said, that the change from one system to another would not be effected without inconvenience to some consumers; and mistakes would inevitably occur, but he appealed to the public"to"'give the zoning system a fair trial bexore beginning to criticise it. He said that there were 15,000 consumers to be supplied with milk, and if any failed to receive their deliveries they would be supplied later in the day. The method of obtaining delivery in such cases would be announced later. Mr Wilson said that cream supplies would be delivered as usual on Sunday. In reply to a question, he said that milk prices would probably be standardised. Some consumers were being supplied with milk at prices under 6d per quart, but in .future they would have to pay the standard rate. Zoning would eliminate any need for price cutting. Position of Companies Explaining the position of the three companies which would have to work under the zoning scheme, Mr Wilson said that they had not yet completed their nlans, but it was expected that they would be operating, fully under the scheme by April 1. There were three companies supplying pasteurised milk, two by the bottle system, and one delivering “ loose ” pasteurised mjlk. Difficulty had arisen in,connect tion with the allocating of zones to the companies, but. he said, sit was probable that about half the inanity would be served with bottled pasteurised' milk. The remainder of the customers would have the choice of either “loose” or bottled pasteurised milk. The companies would gradually bring their - scheme .into operation from Sunday next.