THE MILK PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 12, 9 October 1917, Page 7

THE MILK PROBLEM

WHEN THE CITY TAKES HOLD

NO CONFISCATION

Yesterday the Mayor (Mr: J. P. Lute) was approached to discuss several aspects of the milk question in view of the coming bis change, which, in brief, rrieauß that the city itself is to take over the whole of the work of distributing the milk. The initial 6tep is the completion of the temporary clearing-house at Thorndon. At the meeting of the City Council on Thursday last it was decided (in committee) that the newly-appointed milk manager (Mr. Oliver, of Christchurch), should be communicated with at once, and informed that his presence will be required in Wellington eight weeks from now in order to begin the task of introducing the new scheme of distributing milk from the clearing-house. • By that time the premises now being erected will be well on the way, and matters will. begin to shape themselves accordOne, of the biggest problems the City Council has to face is the assumption of a monopoly of the business of milk distribution, 'for that is practically what the milk scheme means. It would, it is recognised, be folly of the city to provide a clearing-house for' the receipt and inspection of milk and then allow anyone who chose to distribute the milk, and perhaps adulterate it before distribution. The Mayor realises that the city has to take a full responsibility, and that means the elimination altogether of private enterprise in milk distribution. Referring to the matter, yesterday, Mr. Luke said that he did not intend that there should be anything in the nature of confiscation of these' busin'ssses. Perhaps the city would require the plant of some of the businesses, but on that point he wasnot sure, whilst owners of small runs might be glad to give them over to the city, and accept positions under the 6cheme. As far as the big firms were concerned he could not say, but assumed that each case would have to be taken on its mefite. He took it that the council, when it came, to the point, would have to consider the changed conditions, and make some equitable arrangement with those whose businesses would be absorbed into the general municipal scheme. If this were done the business of initiating a civic milk distributing scheme would not necessarily mean the confiscation of existing businesses. .