CITY MILK

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3023, 9 March 1917, Page 6

CITY MILK

FEAR OF A SHORTAGE

The evergreen subject of t'no city milk supply was ' mentioned at last evening's meeting of the City Council. Councillor AV. T. Hildreth raised tho subject by stating that ho believed the city was in danger of having its supply cut off. , The Mayor said he had had letters during the last few days complaining of milk being diverted from tho general public to tho patron's of marble bars. Marble bars served the useful purpose of keeping young men away from other drink, but the children must not he penalised on that account. The matter of a clearing-house for tho city was further advanced than wasgenerally known. There were difficulties of finance and site, but he hoped to be able to give the exact position when tho council next met.

Councillor A. Veitch: 'This talk about cutting off the milk supply from the city is a bogey, and nothing but a bogey." So long as they could get the price the farmers would be anxious to send their milk here.

Councillor It. A. Wright said ho had tried to bo optimistic about the matter, but the fact was that shortage was threatened. There was even now a shortage.

Councillor M. F. Luckio lemarkccf that the cost of distribution was Wellington's trouble. Wellington's miik cost £120,000 a year, and £60,000 of that went to the farmers and £60,000 to the vendors.

Councillor L. M'Kenzie said the remedy lay in better railway facilities so that the city could get it from farther afield.

Councillor J. E. Fitzgerald said that tho farmers' organisation was' the strongest organisation he "knew, and it completely controlled tho milk supply of Wellington. The city milk inspector had put a certain amount of fear into these suppliers, and they now sought to bluff the council. What was wanted was railway facilities for getting the milk from a district outside that controlled by the established combination. As one who attended a deputation to tho General Manager of Railways he was not satisfied that the Government was doing all it could in the matter. Councillor T. Bush: Is it tho intention to ask tho ratepayers for a .loan for tho clearing-house?' Tho Mayor: I don't think there is any other course, A councillor: Yes. The Mayor: Oh, yes. Under recent legislation there is. . . . Personally, I don't think wo need be afraid to ask the ratepayers.