Milk Prosecutions May Proceed

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31004, 9 March 1966, Page 14

Milk Prosecutions May Proceed

fFrom Our Own Reporter) WELLINGTON, Mar. 8. The Health Department may resume preparations soon to prosecute Christchurch milk producers for milk which does not meet solids-not-fat specifications.

The Minister of Health (Mr McKay) discussed the situation in Wellington yesterday with Mr H. E. Denton, chairman of the Christchurch Metropolitan Milk Board, and Mr A. P. Millthorpe, chief health

inspector for the Christchurch City Council. They asked him to have his department institute prosecutions. which were stayed at the behest of the Minister last December pending talks with producers. Mr McKay has since met producers.

The deputation left detailed submissions with the Minister yesterday. He has promised an early reply. His reply is likely to announce that he can no longer prevent the possibility of i prosecutions but urgesl “round-table” talks at the i local level to resolve the situ-| ation.

Sub-standard milk is becoming a national problem, but is

i considered by health officials to be at its worst in the Christchurch region. Prosecution is possible under Food and Drugs Regulations but the Health Department has been trying for two years to have local producers meet standards.

Mr McKay said last night that Messrs Denton and Millthorpe had been under the misapprehension that he had given his department a firm directive not to prosecute.

In fact, his only action had been to promise that there would be no firm decision until he had consulted producers.

The deputation, said the Minister, had also appealed for “information and co-oper-

ation” from all interested parties. “As far as my department is concerned they will get that co-operation,” the Minister said.

“My own hope is that the parties involved may yet get together, examine the situation and solve their difficulties. By getting together, they can appreciate what is being done and what is being attempted by the producers.” Mr McKay said he understood Christchurch milk producers were contributing funds for research on what was primarily an agricultural problem and were also, as suppliers, considering an in-centive-and-penalty scheme to encourage better milk. I