THE MILK SUPPLY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 100, 22 January 1919, Page 6

THE MILK SUPPLY

Gbnbeal satisfaction will be felt at the successful inauguration of the City Council's milk supply scheme. The event has been awaited • with some impatience, but the smooth progress of operations at the clearing station and in the distribution of milk to vendors indicates that the time devoted ' to preparations was well spent. Since yesterday morning practically, the whole of the milk delivered in the city has been handled and tested at the clearing station, and the chairman of the Milk Committee (Councillor Norwood) is able to report that the organisation proved equal to all demands, and that nothing in the shape of a hitch occurred. Not only_ have adequate supplies been obtained and distributed, but the milk', under a thorough test, has been found to touch an excellent standard of quality.' If these conditions' are maintained the City Council will speedily recover the prestige it' lost as a result of its premature experiment a year ago. The cost of establishing municipal control will not be grudged in view of the cardinal importance of providing an adequate and regular milk supply of guaranteed quality. It is one of the. recommendations of the municipal scheme that if developed on proper lines it will mako ultimately for economy and should make a reduction in the price of milk possible. But it is even more important that the purity of the milk supply, which can be much better guaranteed under municipal control than under the conditions lately existing, has a most important bearing on the health of the community, and particularly on the health of infants. The test .applied to the new organisation is not yet comprehensive.' It has yet still to appear how far it is capable of meeting unforeseen contingencies and of serving its purpose at less favourable seasons! of the year. But as far as it goes the test/indicates .that the Milk Committee has laidits plans well, arid has brought together an efficient staff. No doubt the success attained will encourage tho speediest, possible prosecution of those_ features'cf the scheme which remain meantime in abeyance.