THE MILK SCHEME

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 244, 9 July 1919, Page 8

THE MILK SCHEME

BLOCK SYSTEM COMMENCES,

It has been unfortunate for Councillor C. B. Norwood and the Milk Committee that their new system'of-milk control and distribution should happen to be put into operation at the worst of what is really a milk famine. Had the scheme been floated two or three months later, when milk is- likely to be plentiful, theirs would have been the glory, but, as it is the Milk Committee is being blamed for a shortage in supply, which would have occurred no mutter who was controlling or handling tho milk. The public, whose milk was short in measure or late iu delivery yesterday—when the block system was inaugurated—might, Councillor Norwood thinks, take these facts into consideration, bo tolerant for a few days, and make their complaints clearly ami temperately either to the company controlling the area in which they reside or to the Central Milk Depot in Dixon Street. There were plenty of complaints received yesterday, but the ground of most of them is remediable. Most of them concerned either short measure or a later delivery than usual. The public should remember that some of the vending companies are covering new ground, mid are not familiar with the demands of every individual householder us yet, but that, it is hoped, will be rectified in the course of a few days. After July Ihe supply of milk will begin to improve, and by the end of August tho shortage of milk in Wellington should be but a memory. STATEMENT BY COUNCILLOR NORWOOD. Speaking last evening to a representative of The Dominion, Councillor Norwood said:—"The Milk Committee is pleased beyond measure at the sucetfss of the change over. The number of complaints, received is regarded as vt-.ry few, taking'into consideration the vastness of the change. The milkmen were on entirely new ground, and I must speak most highly of No. 2 Company, under tho control of Mr. Cole. On the large block there were only seven houses mi.-=ed in the first delivery, and a cart and milk were ready iu charge of an extra man and these houses wore supplied with as little inconvenience to the residents i{s possible. No. 1 round, under the cp.nIrol of Mr. Rodloy, did exceptionally well, also. No. 3 round was a source of a good deal of complaint, but lliis is a very difficult round, covering n. very lr.igo area, and it is hoped that to-day or at latest by Thursday it will be thoroughly orwiised. l

"There have been instances reported where householders have been subjHed to demands to place (lie vessels to contain their milk on the front verandah or steps. This is entirely opposed to my committoe's policy, andwo change over should lie effected without; placing householders to any inconvenience of this kind. There arc some inaccessible places whore residents might reasonably meet the conditions bv nminting for their, mill: •■lvs'.'ls to l>o placed in <\ handy position, lull in no case should file can or iii'r he iilaeed where the nun can t-ct at it. While jhis does not ninlter at ilie |M'esent tiino, in summer it would havo n scriom effect nn Ihe milk,. 1 would.like fo a-sl; iesident.s to arrange as for as jiossible for weekly payments lo vendors. The coupon system, had it been introduced, lv.mld haves neciissiliitcd payment in advance. The vendors now liave to pay ensh for Ihei , ' mill; or find guarantiees before they receive it, and I trust residents will fall in with my suggestion."