TOWN MILK SUPPLY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 78, Issue 7017, 9 February 1949, Page 6

TOWN MILK SUPPLY

INTERESTING INFORMATION WHAT TE AROHA IS DOING Some interesting first-hand information as to what Te Aroha intends to do in regards an adequate supply of milk to that town and environs was given by the Mayor (Mr Clark), and me town clerk (Mr E. C. Westbury), to delegates present at a meeting of the South Auckland Urban. Local Bodies’ Association, when they met in the Borough Council Chambers, Te Awamutu, last night. The Mayor (Mr G. Spinley) who presided said that Te Awamutu Borough Council had at its last meeting decided to become a Milk Authority as required by the Milk Act, and they would welcome any information that other delegates might possess. Mr Clarke (Mayor of Te Aroha), said that his council had been gazetted a Milk Authority, and they expected to become active as from the 28th of this month (February). The Department had contracted with six farmers to supply milk, one farmer* would pick up the supply from the other five farmers and would take the milk to the milk treatment plant, where it would be pasteurised. The plant which was privately-owned was situated three miles out of Te Aroha. Mr Westbury (town clerk of Te Aroha), said that the council had adopted a set of by-laws, which he thought would be approved by the Government. The by-laws used were in the main, the model by-laws of the Internal Marketing Department, with the addition of some from Whangarei Borough Council, and of few of their own. The Milk Authority was not a trading concern. They had experienced great difficulty in getting milk during the winter time. One vendor had to get two gallons from various farmers. The farmers were not willing to produce milk all the year round and to overcome that the farmers who supplied milk for town supply were subsidised. Mr Clark said each supplier contracted to supply 70 gallons, and if that quantity was not used the balance would be sent to the factory and the suppliers would receive the whole of the price. They had two vendors in T? Aroha at present, and 250 gallons of milk was used for town supply and with a levy of the supply of milk to the schools, the amount would be 300 gallons.

After Mr Westbury had given information already well-known to readers of the Courier, who have taken an interest in the subject, Mr Clark said that Te Aroha could appoint another vendor. The consumers must be given the option of taking raw or pasteurised milk; the Te Aroha Borough Council were* sending out notices asking consumers to make up their minds, as to the class of milk they desired. Fourteen days was being given consumers to make up their minds. The Te Aroha supply extended to areas outside the borough, and the Piako County Council would have a representative on the Te Aroha Committee. The Mayor (Mr Spinley) pointed out to delegates that in Te Awamutu they were dependent for supply on Hamilton. Mr Westbury said it would not pay To Awamutu or Te Aroha to erect milk treatment plants as it would be too expensive. It was stated that Te Aroha in the main received their supply from Bruntwood. Mr Clark said one solution to Te Awamutu’s problem would be to ask one of the dairy companies to install a plant. It was pointed out that Mr Innes when in Te Awamutu prior to the holidays, had stated that such would entail the dairy company undertaking to do so, installing a separate plant. The Mayor said it was hoped to gel farmers in the district to supply milk. The discussion then closed.