THE MILK SUPPLY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143764, 12 April 1912, Page 3

THE MILK SUPPLY.

A MINISTER’S OPINION. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, April IX. Interesting references to the, cost of living and the milk supply problem were made by the Hon. G. Lauronson (Minister for Labour) when addressing the timber workers’ deputation to-day. Tho Minister quoted a publication by Mr. M'llwraith, who took as, a basis the period from 1890 to 1899, when tho fluctuations in tho prices of foodstuffs were less than usual. Mr. Lauronson had hold the opinion that the cost of living had increased enormously, but it appears that in that period the increase was only 3 per cent. Tho writer admitted the large rise in the prices of butter, meat, and bacon, but claimed a tremendous fall in the pi-ices of sugar, kerosene, tea, tapioca, and rice, which balanced matters. He (Mr. Lauronson) had written to the author and suggested that he should make calculations concerning the cost to a family. “Tho milk question,” Mr. Laurenson continued, “ought to be dealt with by municipalities. I know I am on thin ice now, but I am not afraid. The farmer will tel! you that if ho can get sevonpence a gallon throughout the year he is getting a good price. If you take a city like Wellington, assuming the population to be 80,000, the consump- ■ tion of milk would average a quarter of a pint per day. If the milk is sold at lOd per gallon there is 3d for distribution, which would give a very big revenue. Eight or ten milk carts will go to each street under our competitive system a silly one, I call it—but under a municipal system the cost of distributing would be reduced by 75 per cent. 1 know tbe milk-distributing fraternity will be up against me, but that doesn’t matter ”