THE PRICE OF MILK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20512, 2 September 1936, Page 11

THE PRICE OF MILK

To the Editor of “The Timaru Herald” Sir,—Would you allow me a little space to sympathise with the milk vendors of Timaru in having to bring the price of milk down to the ridiculously low figure of 4d per quart. It is quite apparent now where the talk of an easy winter and plenty of feed came from a week or so ago. It has been a short winter the price only being up for two months to help pay for six months’ feed. As a rule a man who is selling a good quality article can demand a price which will pay for production and leave a fair living for himself. I am sue the above price will not recompense a man for having to work on Sundays, Christmas Day and every other day in the year, and also a fair part of the night, while the customers are snug and warm under the blankets. Very few will say it is a pleasant job feeding cows and delivering milk on a rough winter’s day. Why, twenty years ago, the price of milk was 4d or moic, and in those days there was no such thing as £3 a week for cowboys and a month’s holiday on full pay. This holiday alone costs the dairyman £24 by the time he has paid another man to work in the permanent one’s absence, and what about the improvements to the sheds and dairies. This work with the compulsory concreting of the yards will also add to the expenses, and I am afraid will take a good many quarts at 4d to pay for. I am very pleased to be well away from Timaru as far as dairying is concerned, as I know only too well the worry connected with price cutting, when there is room for all, only for a few wanting all the town for themselves. Perhaps it would be worth while the Association writing, and requesting the Government to fix the price, as was done in Auckland some time ago. The winter ks a great

deal Shorter up there and milk should be dearer here to help cover the extra feeding and work.—l am, etc., ALSO A MILKMAN.