PRICE CUTTING CONDEMNED

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19772, 13 April 1934, Page 8

PRICE CUTTING CONDEMNED

MEETING OF MILK VENDORS SUPPORT FOR AUCKLAND BILL A desire that Parliament should institute legislation to allow for the fixation of milk prices in Timaru was expressed to the Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P.. by a largely attended meeting of milk vendors and producers held last night. Mr G. Waller, chairman of the Milk Vendors’ Association presided.

Mr Carr said he understood that as producers and producer-vendors they were being practically ruined by pricecutting. They wanted, he understood, to stabilise the price so that producers and vendors would be able to receive a payable return. Vendors, he believed, had approached the Borough Council with a suggestion that it should take up the matter, but in its wisdom the Council had declined to do so. He did not wish to butt into local politics, but if vendors desired to put their house in order and seek legislation, that was where he came in. Vendors were desirous of “minding their own business,” and he would do all he could to assist them to put their house in order. He felt sure that vendors had done their best to meet the consumer during hard times and would continue to do so. He referred to the provisions of the Auckland Milk Supply Bill, and said he understood that this would prove acceptable to the Timaru district without alteration. Under the Auckland Bill it was necessary to set up a district milk committee, the members of which would be responsible for the carrying out of the terms.

Mr Carr discussed the provisions of the Auckland Bill and said that although the meeting was not immediately interested in quality and distribution, it was in his opinion advisable to make a job of things and place the milk supply for Timaru and district on a good footing. Mr C. Lennon: Would Mr Carr recommend cho principles of that Bill in preference to a municipal scheme? Mr Carr said he had not gone into the matter thoroughly, but he thought that people in the business should be the best to run it.

The question was discussed from all angles, and it was decided on the motion of Mr Lennon that the meeting approve of the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Supply Bill and ask Mr Carr to make representations in the House to have a similar Bill for Timaru placed on the Statute Book.

Mr Carr was accorded a vote of thanks for his interest.