A New Scheme.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20282, 17 April 1934, Page 8

A New Scheme .

Milk Supply.

Vendors in Favour of Change. jyjILK DISTRIBUTION for Christchurch on the lines of the scheme now operating in Auckland was unanimously decided upon yesterday at a meeting of milk vendors. Under the new scheme, price-cutting will be eliminated, a central body will control the industry, and a better milk supply is promised. The chairman. Mr S. G. Farquhar, asked every milk vendor to support the scheme. There had been three years of price-cutting, and this was due to three things. First, there were the butter-fat prices in England, secondly the unemployed question, making cutting necessary to maintain an existence. The third, and greatest bugbear of them all, was the small shop which bought milk direct from the producer, and was therefore able to sell at low prices. Milk had been used as a lever to bring in other business. Mr Farquhar then outlined the Act which had been passed by Parliament to protect the milk industry in Auckland. First, a council was appointed consisting of three members from the City Council, two members of outside bodies, two direct vendors and two direct producers. This council was given all the powers of a local body, with power to form and enforce by-laws The prices paid by vendors and the public were to be fixed by the council, which would also have control of the issuing of all licenses. For the first year, a grant would be made by the City Council, but after that, the scheme would be self-supporting, all vendors to pay id per gallon on all milk sold. If this levy was not paid a 10 per cent penalty would have to be paid or the license suspended. The Act also gave the council power to establish a laboratory for testing milk supplies, so as to bring about a better supply of milk to the public. A Change Needed. “ You will all agree with me,” continued the chairman, “ that the time has come when something very definite and concrete should be done. Many vendors are selling milk at below the cost of production. If Christchurch wants an efficient milk supply, then it must pay for it.” He said that the prices fixed tentatively to operate in Auckland betw-een March 17 and April 30 were as follows: Retail price, 5d a quart for loose milk, sld for bottled. Price to producers, 9d a gallon. Price to cover collection, treatment, storage, distribution and delivery 2|d a gallon. Price to be paid by vendors to wholesalers for resale llld. Price delivered to milk shop Is 3d a gallon. Price of wholesale milk othei* than to vendors, but to include shipping and picnics, ten gallons and more a day, Is 2d; three gallons and less than ten gallons a day. Is 3d; one gallon and less than three gallons. Is sd. Retail price of cream: 4oz sd, Boz 9d, l6oz Is 4d. Wholesale price of cream to vendors, 7s 4d a gallon. Price of cream to shops and shipping for five gallons and more, 7s a gallon; less than five gallons, Bs. Mr A. M’Lachlan moved that the scheme be supported. He said that it was the best that had yet been put before the producers and vendors. The motion was seconded by Mr C. Davies. In answer to a question, Mr J. Moore explained that the small farmer producing a few gallons of milk could not be allowed to undersell other men in the industry. He would have to sell at the fixed price. The motion was carried unanimously. Messrs R. K. Todhunter and L. Chappell were appointed to represent retailers on a ioint committee with producers to prepare the terms of a proposal for a Bill to be placed before Parliament when the session opens in June.