DELIVERY OF MILK

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 247, 12 July 1919, Page 8

DELIVERY OF MILK

* ■ VENDORS AND THE BLOCK SYSTEM ALLEGED DISCOURTEOUS BEHAVIOUR Tho block system of delivering milk was mentioned at last evening's meeting of tho City Council <is a result of a question by Councillor'.Hutchison. Councillor Norwood, chairman of the Jiilk Committee, said he had no doubt that councillors had heard many bad reports as to the working of. the system, and he had to admit that there wns some justification for the ndyerso criticism. This was the outcome of the attitude adopted by some of the vendors who were doing their utmost to upset tho system. He had been supplied with information that certain vendors had told their customers that the block (em was a failure and asked them if they would obtain their supplies trom the particular vendor supplying them when tho system was abandoned. This illustrated the feeling of some of the vendors towards the system—they wero deliberately attcniuiiiig to get' the public opposed to J e svstem in order to revert to the previous arrangements. He did not direct this against all the vendors, but to a smai percentage. Ho had even heard tmil some vendors were very discourteous to their customers, telling them that if they did not. place their vessels at the Iront gate they would not get any mite. Councillor M. Lnekie: That's true. Tho Mayor: I was without milk for three days. . The Milk Committee, continued Councillor Norwood, got on to this matter right awav. They had been collecting information and were taking the necessary steps to put a stop to these practices. It was proposed to issue permits to vendors, and the commitcee would have the power to refuse or cancel a permit in the caso of misconduct or discourteous behaviour towards customers. The opinion had got abroad that be-t causo a certain vendor had a monopoly over a particular area he could treat his customers in any manner he desired. Ho desired tho public to. understand that the vendors were obliged to supply their customers with milk, and had no right to dictate as to where the jug should be placed. Tho vendors under tho system were really employees of the committee, and when' the permits were introduced he forecasted that .there would be a vast improvement. A perfect uuderstaudinjj had been arrived at with tho directors of the respective milk concerns, ami it had been definitely arranged that there was to lie no change in the position oi tho vessels. They would lie left in their usual places-vendors were obligeu to serve every house. There were certain places that, had difficult anpreaches, but. tho speaker considered that anv difficulty in. this connection could bo overcome by mutual arrangement with the customer. Councillor M. Luckie cited what 10 described as a deliberate attempt on. the part of some vendors to create a lectin!? of dissatisfaction over the system. He said that the present shortage ot milk -amounted to about one-third ot tin. normal winter supply, and in that case customers should bo getting' two-thirds of their requirements. He cited his own experience to show that this was not the case. Ho had taken live pints a dav, but; now was getting only two pints, mul was told that ho would probably only get one pint a day next wceic. ..He considered that vendors wero serving their old customers well, but were deliberately cutting down the supplies 10 their new clients under the block system, in order to create dissatisfaction am eventually upset, the system. He had heard that! if tho jugs or vessels were not left at the front, door customers would not get any milk. This regulation was not authorised. In his opinion we vendors were absolutely opposed to the block system, and wero domg tlieir best to smash it. ~,,,, Councillor Bennett said that he was ono of those who had received short measure, and while he appreciated the difficulties and the attitudo of somo of he vendors, ho thought that some of the trouble was attributable to the public. \t this stage the discussion reverteil to the question of the present shortage ot milk, and Councillor Chapman emphasised the necessity for urtreut measures to ensuro a sufficient supply of milk for the city even if it meant that less butter and less cheese would sent out of the country The position was hecoming serious, mid ho urged tho need for urgent action. He would liko to see. the Milk Committee bring down a report on possible methods for remedying tho position. Councillor H, A. Wright said that the council had fully realised the growing shortage of milk, and tho introduction ot the block sj'stem was one step m tho direction of overcoming the difficulty. The shortage had been attributed to the council, but this was not the ease, the council was doing all in its power to improve tho position. The blame was on tho farmers. They wero getting good money for thoir milk used for buttcrniakiiig, etc., and wero not going to send tho milk to tho city for a. lower figure. The council had taken steps to ensure a full supply of milk, but tho time of the year was inappropriate for the fruitful operation of the arrangements. Nevertheless ho had every reason to believe that by nest year nmple supplies would be available. It required time and patience to overcome the difficulties, and ho thought that tho council's scheme would bj successful. Councillor Hutchison claimed that tho city was faced with the possibility of being without fresh milk, and that the time was coming when the council would have to take' over the farming of milk for tho Councillor Frnsnr considered that prompt action was needed, rnd Councillor Norwood said that the Milk Committee was fully alive to the position, and was making all inquiries necessary to combat the situation. They had thought of Ihe probability of farming their own milk, and. had viewed .a. certain property »f about ono thousand acres, which would cost, .£75,000. This properly would hold •MO milking cows in winter, and he merely mentioned, this to show (hat the committee- was.doing ttvorything il could to remedy the shortage of milk.