PRICE OF MILK 1/- A GALLON

Southland Times, Issue 23181, 23 April 1937, Page 6

PRICE OF MILK 1/- A GALLON

WHOLESALE RATE OF ASSOCIATION DECISION OF ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting last evening of the City Milk Producers’ Association fixed the wholesale price for milk during May at 1/- a gallon delivered in the city, this figure to be reconsidered . by the committee at the end of May. This decision was made after some discussion on a motion that the price be 1/- a gallon at the gate for four months from May 1. The amendment was carried by five votes to four. There was an attendance of 10 members, over whom Mr A. T. Elliott presided. The annual report stated that the committee considered producers had benefited to a considerable extent by the decisions from time to time on milk prices. Other matters which engaged its attention included milk coming into the city from outlying districts not under the supervision of the local inspector, and the procuring of a complete and up-to-date list of registered dairies. The committee was in entire accord with the Invercargill City Council’s effort to improve the city milk supply. It desired also to bring before the producers the importance of having their cows tested for tuberculosis. The balance-sheet did not show a big balance, it continued, but the association had paid its way. The report added that the committee recommended a charge for winter milk of not less than 1/- a gallon Support For Association In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman said he regretted that there were some producers still not members of the a. 55 0" ciation. There was much to be gained from standing solidly behind the association. “The new city by-laws are very comprehensive,” he said, “and if they can be enforced in detail, Invercargill should have very superior quality milk. Taking a long view, it seems that some central receiving depot will be required. The idea of pasteurizing is gaining ground, but it is almost impossible for the average producer. Whether it is desirable is a question on which there is much difference of opinion. For my part, I think pasteurizing at the low temperature of, say, 150 degrees, and maintaining the milk at that for 20 minutes would be all to the good. The higher temperature up to 180 degrees and over tends to destroy some of the best elements of milk. For schools, the Health Department requiries pasteurized milk. “The committee recommended a price of not under 1/- a gallon for the winter,” he added. “That is the point on which we succeed or fail.” He suggested that the price at present was mostly guesswork and that a system of fixing a price on the costs of some representative men would give satisfactory results. The report and balance-sheet were adonted. The following committee was elected: Messrs W. Caldwell, A. T. Elliott, G. Rodgers, I. Wright, A. E. Gerrard, J. Murphy and W. Hudson. Mr Elliott was re-elected chairman.