OUR MILK SUPPLY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2768, 11 May 1916, Page 8

OUR MILK SUPPLY

THE FIGHT FOR IMPROVEMENT.

Two important letters in 4 connection with tho City Council's proposals for the improvement of 'Wellington's milk supply have been received by the Mayoi (Mr. J. I'. Luke), who has placed copies of them at our disposal.

Under Tuesday's date, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. G. W. Russell) wrote:—"With reference to tho correspondence with your council regarding regulations under the Municipal Corporations Act, 1908, I have the honour to reply as follows: (1) As far back as tho year 1907 your council was authorised to make by-laws for the purpose of Section 28 ot the Municipal Corporations Act (consolidated in 1903); but your council lias not done so. This authority is still in' force. (2) In reply, to my specific inquiry, 'Can tho Government under Section 288 of the Municipal Corporations Act make regulations which will give effect to the proposals of the Wellington City Council as embodied in the Wellington City Milk Supply Act, 1910, and its amendment of 1914?' the answer of tli6 Crown Law Office is, 'No.' (3)-Tho power of making by-laws under Section 288, vesting in the council, that body must accept the responsibility as to. whether they are or are not ultra vires. (4) As Minister of Public Health, I am prepared _to appoint an officer of the City Council an inspector under the Sale ot Food and Drugs Act, so far as milk and' milk products are concerned. Ho would carry out his duties under' the supervision of the District Health' Officer. As he.would bo a State officer, the fees and fines received would be paid into t he Public Account. lam prepared to consider tho allotment of tho officer's salary as between the Public Health Department and your council. (5) Independent of-regulations under the Municipal Corporations Act, your council has under its local Act of 1910 and the amendment of 1914, ample powers to make by-laws to give effect to the legislation therein contained, and I see no reason whatever why the council should not at once proceed to exercise the large powers it possesses for tSe benefit of the citizens. jVs to tha steps to be taken, you will, of course, be guided by your legal advisers. In conclusion, I wish to assure your honourable council that it is my earnest desire to assist by every means ■ legally within my powers to secure for the citizens of Wellington a pure and efficient milk supply.". - ' .

FROM RAILWAYS MANAGER. The other letter, written yesterday, was from the General Manager of .Railways (Mr. E. H. Hiley), and was as follows-.— "Adverting-to the question of a site lor a milk depot clearing-house nt AYelling--1 ton, and with reference to tho letter of -the Minister of Railways to you, dated' 3rd instant, and the deputation to the Minister on. 10th ultimo, I have the honour to inform you that-up to tjie date of your meeting -w'ith the Minister on April 10 the representatives of the council have always emphasised tho fact that railway siding access to the mill; depot was a necessity, and also that no rent .should be charged by the Bail way Department for the site to be allocated as a mil.k v depot. As the Railway Department was not in a position to concede these points, tho council's proposal to locate a site on railway property has not materialised. If lam to understand from the -notes of: your meeting with the Minister of Railways on 10th ultimo that the conditions above referred to are now waived by flic council, I would suggest, in-order to further the matter, that an early meeting be arranged between your representatives and-myself in conjunction with tho City Engineer and th-e Railway. Department's Engineer. I have no doubt a suitable date convenient to -nil parties this week or next can bo arranged on the telephone. ' In order to expedite matters at'this meeting, it-is necessary that a plan should be brought by your representatives showing the dimensions of the building,, yard, and approaches for which a site is required on our property." . t