CITY MILK ISSUE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 287, 5 December 1945, Page 4

CITY MILK ISSUE

GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF CENTRAL DEPOT COUNCIL’S APPROVAL RECOMMENDATION TO BE MADE TO MINISTER On the motion of the Mayor, Hon. W. J. Rogers, seconded by Cr. A. R. Donaldson, the Wanganui City Council decided at a special meeting last night to support a recommendation that the Government be asked to take complete control of the central milk depot in Wanganui, without financial liability to the council, and that a board of management bo appointed, representing the Government, City Council and other interests. A recommendation to this effect is to be made to the Minister concerned by the Director of the Milk Marketing Division, Mr. H. H. Innes. The decision was reached unanimously after the city milk issue had again been thoroughly debated. Mr Innes attended the meeting and after explaining new developments made three suggestions to the council. Tho first was that the treating house and handling of milk at Wanganui, with the exception of distribution, be taken over as a municipal undertaking, the cost of which would have to be raised by loan.

The second suggestion was that the Government be asked to take control of the treating house as a public utility plant and that a board of management be appointed. At the same time the City Council would act as the local authority to deal with such questions as zoning of deliveries, licensing of dairies selling milk over the counter, and other matters. The third suggestion was that the structure be left, as it is at present, with necessary alterations effected.

New developments outlined by Mr. Innes concerned complete supervision by the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture of all milk from the farm to the treating house including inspection of farms, testing at the treating house, and keeping supplies at a high standard.

The Mayor’s motion was put after much discussion and carried on the voices. No amendments were proposed. CONTROL OF ALL MILK Mr. Innes said at the outset that he hoped to take away some decision as to what part the City Council intended playing in the milk industry. Within recent weeks a general pattern had been formed for the control of all milk from the farms to the central treating house. Producers would be responsible only to the Department of Agriculture, which was charged with the responsibility of inspecting farms, ensuring adequate production, and raising the general standard. The producer was entitled and encouraged to form his own organisation and the department was charged with seeing that milk of the highest quality was produced. It was a logical development during the past twelve months for milk delivered in the main centres and cities to pass through a central treating house. The producer had not the time, the labour qg the equipment for bottling milk on the farm. All his time was taken up on 365 days a year for town supply. The Dairy Division, the most highly technical branch of the Department of Agriculture, would take over control of all milk for the city supply from the time It left the farm till it was ready for distribution from the depot, including collection and testing. Persons carrying out these tests must have the qualifications stipulated by the department and be registered as milk testers. This system applied to dairy factories, and it was recognised that there was urgent need for giving the milk industry the same degree of treatment as butter and cheese. NATIONAL STANDARD

“The Dairy Division will set the standard, certify buildings that may be used, and carry out all tests, which must be on a national standard,” added Mr. Innes. "Previously the Health Department carried out a general supervision of treating houses, but it will now step aside and give the Dairy Division control.”

Between 1800 and 2000 gallons were required daily in Wanganui, excluding supplies to schools. There was no danger of over-production as the milk could be used for other purposes. It was essential, however, that all milk should pass through the central depot, which was also a clearing house and vital to the industry.

Mr. Innes expressed the hope that such questions as zoning, licensing of shops, standards of distribution and the personnel engaged In this work would be dealt with by a local milk authority. This was 'an important duty, but not necessarily heavy, nnd would require meetings of a standing committee. At present decisions in certain matters were being made in Wellington, but it was felt that this policy was wrong. One representative of the Health Department and another of the Dairy Division would serve on the committee. There need be no overlapping as the Dairy Division would assume responsibility up to the time the milk left the central treating-house for distribution to the public, after which the Health Department would take over. QI’ESTION OF LOAN. The City Council could act in several capacities, and under the Milk Act could take over the treating house as a municipal undertaking, n this step were decided on the approval of the Local Government Loans Board would be necessary and the council may be required to give some security. "You could get a loan on the undertaking, but you may have to pledge something more than that,” Mr. Innes added. Another suggestion was that Government finance be made available lor taking over the treating house, and that a board of management be set up representing the interested parlies. Members oi the board could be paid from revenue produced by the plant. If this step were adopted the City Council could still become the milk authority and control such matters as zoning of deliveries and distributon generally. "The third suggestion is that matters be left as they are at present, with the exception thal any necessary improvements be effected,” said Mr. Innes. Cr. A. J. Pritchard asked if any other municipality had considered the question of taking over ownership o f the treating house. With the exception of Palmerston North, this Issue had not been put elsewhere, Mr. Innes replied. A change of ownership had been proposed in Wanganui and the present proprietor wanted to know where he stood. "We have always prided ourselves that Wanganui is one of the most healthy districts in New Zealand," said Cr. Pritchard. "Before this Act was introduced, everybody seemed satisfied with the milk supply and I don’t see any reason why there should have been a change.” INADEQUATE SUPPLIES. *Mr. Innes explained that before the change-over the question of adequate milk for the city supply was a problem, not only in Wanganui, but elsewhere. Vendors went out to farms, collected their milk ard delivered into open containers, but during the winter months, when there was a shortage of supplies, they frequently had Io scout round the district. The producer was a return

which was not adequate compared with farmers milking for dairy factories and the only way to put the town supply on a proper basis, without increasing the cost to the consumer, was by granting a subsidy. The Milk Commission was set up to inquire into the position througnout New Zealand, and as a result of its findings the Milk Act was passed with the unanimous approval of both sides in the House of Representatives. By voluntary agreement producers and vendors in Wanganui had agreed that the present depot should be the central clearing house. “I can assure you that when we came and surveyed the position in Wanganui we found that there waS not sufficient registered farms from which supplies could be drawn,” said Mr. Innes. “Even yet we have not the safe margin that is required. If there is dry weather in the autumn a shorage may occur.” “I take it that if the City Council refuses to have anything more to do with this question the consumers' only right of appeal, in the event of complaints, will be to the people running the milk,” said the Mayor. Mr. Innes said that if the City Council refused a local authority could be appointed by order-in-council. MAYOR MOVES MOTION

Moving that the council support the suggestion that the Government be asked to take control of the treating house and appoint a board of managers, the Mayor said that this step would relieve the city of any financial obligation. Seconding the motion pro forma, Cr. Donaldson said the council had always felt nervous about taking over something which might mean an expenditure of up t 6 £30,000. The Mayor’s motion was based purely on a verbal statement by Mr. Innes that, he would recommend that, the Government take over the undertaking. “If this council is to be committea to a scheme we must have that scheme stated in plain language, and an assurance that there will be no financial responsibility.” said Cr. Donaldson. “The people of Wanganui are concerned about the milk question. Conflicting answers have been given and we don’t seem to hr getting anywhere. The scheme in Wanganui seems to have been launched before it was ready. This is borne out by additional information given to us to-night by Mr. Innes.”

Cr. E. W. Merewether said he believed that the suggestion of complete municipal control could be ruled out in Wanganui. “The Mayor’s resolution is the only way out of a vexed question,” said Cr. R. P. Andrews. After further questions had been

asked, Mr. Innes said the present meeting should not he concerned with any particular schemes. These could be worked out later by neopie in Wanganui. The question of approach and the principle to be adopted, were of vital importance.

“I could go back to the Minister and tell him that Wanganui sunports tho scheme without any financial obligaliontion 1o the Citv Council, direct or otherwise, but vou must decide whether you will take some responsibility or not, so that if any complaints come along you will be in a position to exercise your authority,” said Mr. Innes. “Let there hp no confusion over this. Schemes have got to be worked out. but I have given vou fl general nattern. You can do It yourself or let it become a national responsibility ” After further discussion the Mayors motion was put to the meeting and [carried on the voices, no opposition being expressed.