MILK FOR CITIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 203, 22 May 1919, Page 8

MILK FOR CITIES

MUNICIPAL FARMS IMPOSSIBLE AT PRESENT PRICES OF MILK Difficulties in obtaining supplies of milk for city populations wero referred to at the sitting of the Industries Commission yesterday. The witnesd before tho Commission was Mr. I). Cuddie, Director of the Dairy Division of the .Agricultural Department, and questions wero naked bv Mi. J. P. Luke, 11.P., Mayor of Wellington, and a member of tho committee. Mr. Luke asked whether the existence of such industries as dried milk manufacture, combined with the high prices ruling for cheese, did not threaten supplies of 'milk for cities. Mr. Cuddie did not think such danger existed. Mr. Luke: Would it surprise you to hear that the Wellington City Council has had to go as far as Hawke's Bay for milk? Mr. Cuddie: That is a long way to go. I don't know why they should have to go as far as that. It seems to me that the matter will always Jin settled by the price. If the dried milk factories pay a higher price then the milk will go to them. Mr. Luke: Do 3 r ou think the municipality should have first claim on milk produced within a certain area to make sure that the milk should not go to factories to be mads into products for export?

Mr. Cuddie: "It seems to me it -would present a good many difficulties. It involves compulsion, and in some cases the compulsion would lie unfair." Discussing the question further, he said that undoubtedly the high prices ruling for butter-fat took milk from the city supplies because it was easier to supplv milk to factories than for city supply. The only sure way for cities 'to get supplies would bo for tho municipalities to "own and manage their own farms. "But," ho said, "it would never be possible for a city council or any other public body to run a farm at present prices of milk, simply because they would have to pay regulation wages, and bear overhead charges riot incurred by farmers."