FIXING MILK PRICES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20331, 14 June 1934, Page 13

FIXING MILK PRICES.

Proposed Bill Not Supported

by Waimairi.

The Waimairi County Council will not support the proposed Christchurch Metropolitan Milk Bill, contending that it does not concern the county. This decision was reached at a meeting of the council last night. At a previous meeting a deputation of dairymen sought the council’s support for the Bill. Consideration was then deferred. The discussion was opened by Mr F. S. Scott, who declared that the proposed price-fixing would not be fair to the public. He moved that the council should not support the Bill. Towards Socialisation.

“ This matter does not concern the council,” said Mr W. G. Chapman, seconding the motion. The formation of a milk council, as sought by the Bill, was a step towards the socialisation of production, distribution and exchange, leading to a municipal milk supply, which was not desirable, he said. lie had spoken to milkmen in his district, and they had not been approached by the sponsors of the Bill. Mr Chapman quoted figures to show that the proposed council could not operate on the suggested levy of Id a gallon to cover expenses. Mr J. Liggins said that the council should neither support nor condemn the proposal. It was not the concern of the county. The County Interested. Mr W. J. Walter moved as an amendment that the council should support the Bill, but he was ruled out of order. He said that the. Bill interested Waimairi County more than any other district in and around Christchurch. Halswell had decided to support the' Bill, from the ratepayers’ point of view, and Waimairi should do the same. “ It appears as if the support of the local bodies must be obtained before this Bill can go through the House,” said the chairman (Mr W. P. Spencer) “ The price of milk should be 5d a quart, and T would not be surprised, in the event of the Bill being passed, if the Government fixed the price. The Government will have to stand behind the dairy farmers.”

Mr G. G Gardner: You are assuming quite a lot

The motion was carried by six votes to three.