PURER MILK.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18786, 15 June 1929, Page 4

PURER MILK.

To th« Editor. Dear Sir,—The last City Council re fused a subsidy some time back to the laboratory which at that time was being maintained by the dairymen for testing their milk. It is therefore refreshing and hopeful to find that the new council has'at last affirmed the principle of a laboratory for this purpose, no doubt upon the advice of the councillor with the big stick. Dr Thacker. Now that this stage has been reached it is to be hoped no time will be lost in putting their affirmation into practice by establishing one, so that the dairymen may be given a chance to put their house in order. The council should not stop at this, but see that the whole of those retailing bottled milk have the proper equipment for Mashing and sterilising their bottles, etc. At present I am obtaining my supply from a dairyman whose truck carries both bottles and drums, and I have a strong suspicion, judging from the condition of the bottle delivered to me this morning, that it had been refilled on the road, which, I understand, is a breach of the regulations. I am a firm believer in the sealed bottle system, and I certainly think the whole of the supply should be so delivered for obvious reasons, but only those who have the proper equipment for sterilising the bottles, etc., should be licensed to sell bottled milk. There are, 1 know, #eycral well conducted and hygienic dairies which have this equipment, but none of these, unfortunately, deliver where I am located. There is every reason to believe that many of the halfpie dairymen—that is the one-third bottle and two-thirds can-and-dipper brigade—want attention, and I shall look to our worthy medico to cast his optics on this phase of retailing. The can and dippers should be scrapped, and in this I know I have the support of an enlightened Press and our health reformer, Dr Thacker. I trust in the interests of our children and invalids, and, of course, ourselves generally, there will be no further marking time in simply affirming principles, but something more effective will be done.— I am, etc., PARENT.