THE MILK PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 112, 29 January 1918, Page 6

THE MILK PROBLEM

Sir,—We have road with much interest the many opinions on the milk problem of this city during the past month, and noto that many citizens have taken the opportunity to criticise the action taken by the council in erecting and controlling what has been called a milk clearing station which occupies its position in a dusty and smoky corner near the Thorndon Railway Station. When we 100k 1 seriously into the milk supply oF tlio city as itMs to-day we must admit that something of a change is required in order that the public may obtain such a necessary food as pure milk. I have been connected with the milk trade in this city for many years, and, lika many other unfortunate milk vendors, I have had the honour of appearing before the public Court to answer charges of selling milk adulterated, and although we have Droved beyond doubt that we have sold the milk exactly in the same condition *b »o icceiv'ed it from the supplier wc were fined heavily. , About eighteen months ago the Wellington City CounoS appointed a milk inspector, who has ljeen busily engaged during this time in taking samples of milk from vendors, which resulted in many prosecutions, and nearly in every instance the samo old story was told in Court that they sold the milk a? they received it from the farmer (this in many cases I know to be correcy. Still, the heavy fines do not stop adulterated milk reaching the public, as vendors seldom have the opportunity of testing the whole of the milk before it is delivered, with the result that very many licensed milk vendors in the city have been convicted under the Salo of Food and Drugs Act. As a vendor, it was worthy to note the remarks of the Hon. Minister for Public ifcalth a few days ago, when lie stated that heavy penalties would still be inflicted in future cases for the sale of adulterated milk, also in a case recently before the Court at Wellington the Magistrate fined a milk vendor £20, and stated that the person that sold adulterated milk was no better than a thief, (lii this case the vendor stated that lie sold the milk as he received it.) A short time ago a number of milk vendors appeared before the Citv Council to show cause why their licences should not be dealt with, and their explanation was again that the milk was sold in tlio same condition as received by them. For the above reasons and also the threat from the Farmers' Association that unless a temporary clearing ln>t:so was erected by the cor.neil H the supply of milk for tlio city would bo endangered. After cwsidering the above-men-tioncd details, the council decided t« crect a clearing house for tlio purpose of testing tho milk before it reached the vendors, and to cleanse and return I the cans to the suppliers, which 110 doubt should result iu a more satisfactory state of affairs. We all know I

that the clearing house was opened oti January 9 and closed on January 10, and is now described by some as a ghastly failure, simply because th® whole operation did Jiot go olf like shelling peas. I say that it was never tried long enough to form any opinion of, as tlie uianagement decided to closo it again until it was better equipped. I say that the clearing house, must open again in the near future, and when itdoes, with a complete staff and equipment, it will do what it was established for, that is, to prevent adulterated milt being passed on to the consumer and innocent milk vendors heavily fined" for offences which they have no knowledge of, and the members of the City Council will bo keeping their pledges to the public in carrying out a schciuo for a pure niilk supply. In conclusion, a statement was made to the effect that a dertain scction and the milk vendors are antagonistic to the clearing house, but I for one, and I know of many others, who have realised the advantages, will give ili«; clearing house every support, for when in operation it will relieve the milk vendor of the responsibility which lie now suffers of the milk being adulterated beforo it is received from the Railway Department. At the present time a milk vendor has to take the risk of the cow (as many cows' milk does not come up to the standard in butter-fat), also the risk of the dishonest farmer, and also last hut not least what somotimes happens to it during transit. A milk vendor's responsibility should then start when he receives tho milk, and this he must accept, and perhaps in due course an honest milk vendor may bo able to redeem his good name, and get the justice in which he is entitled to, in God's own countrv. —I am, etc., MILK VENDOR.