MILK ZONING

Southland Times, Issue 24421, 29 April 1941, Page 7

MILK ZONING

To The Editor Sir,— Along with thousands of other young men, my son is ’at present in Greece fighting in the cause of freedom —freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom for the individual. Little do these lads know that in their own fair land freedom is gradually being nibbled at, till soon we shall be in bondage to the State. They do not know that because of threatened Government control, our milk vendors have been forced to zone Invercargill, and we housewives no longer can exercise our discretion in choosing a vendor who, because of the' excellence of his herd, fine methods of delivery and cleanliness throughout many years has served us with his own milk. We can buy mixed milk at dairies and this can be used for cooking, but surely when milk is so vital a factor in children’s diet, we are not to be robbed of the privilege of having the milk we like for them. Secondly, why have the alternative vendors’ names not been advertised, so that any change-over may not be an eleventh-hour decision? We are told this is a war measure designed to conserve petrol. Could you, sir, answer the four following questions:—(l) Is it correct that a certain Cabinet Minister recently called at a North Canterbury bowser (closed to the public on Sundays) and demanded and was given for himself and retinue 26 gallons of petrol? (2) Is it correct that a certain union secretary travels approximately 150 miles each month to collect union dues which amount to a little less than 25/-? (3) Is it correct that the only milk vendor who can go into all zones is the one who has a Government contract to supply schools? (4) Is this the thin end of the wedge and shall we soon have zones for butchers, grocers, bakers —and even doctors? When I see my Government applying to its own petrol-saving the same rules it demands of the public, I shall be delighted to fall in line. I hope an abler pen than mine will show Mr Sullivan that we are not acquiescing quietly in this business, but that, like Kate in Robert Burns's “Tam o’ Shanter,” we are "nursing our wrath to keep it warm.”—Yours, etc., INDIGNANT HOUSEWIFE. April 27, 1941.