HIGHER PRICE FOR MILK

Southland Times, Issue 23047, 14 November 1936, Page 12

HIGHER PRICE FOR MILK

WORKERS’ NEW AWARD (United Press Association.) Auckland, November 12. An increase in the retail price of milk in Auckland is forecast, following the filing by the Arbitration Court of a new award for milk depot workers and drivers. The operation of the award, in the words of the Court, “is conditional on the bringing into operation of the new prices of milk which have been provisionally decided upon by the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council and have been submitted by it to the Court.” Members of the Milk Council to-day refused to give any indication of what changes in price were contemplated, but it was stated that the matter had been discussed in committee. Certain recommendations will be considered at a meeting to-morrow morning, when it is expected that an official statement will be made about the scale of prices and the future policy. It was stated in an authoritative quarter that the new award would mean an increase in costs of at least 30 per cent, and that an increase in the retail price of milk of Id a quart could be forecast with some degree of accuracy. “In view of increasing costs,” it was stated, “a section of those affected will probably want the Milk Council to increase the price more than it is prepared to do.” Mr J. Purtell, secretary of the Auckland Milk Roundsmen’s Union, said that it had practically been decided to increase the price by 2jd a gallon to meet the new conditions. In a discussion of the Auckland Roundsmen’s Award in Wellington, two of the employers claimed that this increase would not meet the increased costs. The Arbitration Court, Mr Purtell added, had made amendments to the roundsmen’s award also on the condition that the new prices of milk should be introduced.