WELLINGTON'S MILK

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 53, 26 November 1920, Page 8

WELLINGTON'S MILK

MINISTER EXPLAINS POSITION A question regarding Wellington's milk supply was placed mi the order paper of the House of RcDresentalives before the end of the session by -Mr. }\. I>. Lysnar (Gisborue), who suggested tnat an injustice was IjeiTig uone to supplier*. Mr. Lysnar asked if the .Minister ut Industrics and Comuicroe would.cause investigation to be made the disparity between the price or Is- vet gallon now being offered to the producer and that of 2s. Bd. to the consumer. "The mutter of milk prices is being carefully watched ou behalf of tho Goveminent by the Board of .Trade, isay* the Minister in his reply. "The board is in close touch with the Wellington Municipal Milk Deuartnicnt in respect to the purchase of supplies from tho fanners, and was consulted in respect t<> tho wnolesaio und retail prices lixei,. These latter prices are subject to tho agreement and consent of the noard. in vfew of the above arrangement is is not considered that an investigation is necessary. The council recently issued a circular showing that n 'minimum payment of Is. per gallon was offered to farmers who did not supply milk during the winter season, and to those farmers who did supply during the winter Is. W. per gallon was offered. Taking lasi, mouth as a guide, ■ the council actually paid on on average Is. 3d. per gallon for aIL milk received from farmers. "Owing to the supply of muk available during the summer months exceeding tlie council's requirements, the council, in its circular, requested that if a more remunerative price could he obtain,ed by supplying dairy factories or any other source, then it. would be to tho council's advantage to accept such offers, as it would relieve the municipality from an excessive surplus of milk. On the facts elicited it is considered that the transaction is a reasonable one. Any legitimate grievance by an individual farmer or supplier would be, on request, inauircd into bvtho Board of Trade.