SUPPLIES RATIONED

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 217, 9 June 1943, Page 8

SUPPLIES RATIONED

Wellington Milk Bars

A 25 per cent, cut was made in the supply of milk to all milk bars in Wellington by the municipal milk department yesterday, a cut which, presumably, will extend over the winter months. Mr, F. L. Benseman, the manager of the Milk Department, said that a certain amount of rationing would have to be done in order to meet the present situation. On the one hand there was an increase in the demand —as much as 46 percent. for the month of May, as compared with the corresponding month of last year—and on the other hand a decreased supply, which was partly seasonal and partly due to labour difficulties on the dairy farms in the districts which supply Wellington city with milk. “The main trouble," said Mr. Benseman, “is that we don't know what the demand will be, and we are not aware definitely what the supply will be. Sudden demands are made upon the department from time to time from certain quarters—it might be for any quantity of milk from 400 to 1000 gallons—and we have to do our best to comply with such demands. So, with increased demands and a decreased supply, we have to start rationing, and have begun with the milk bars. At present I do not think that such rationing will extend to the householder. That, I hope, will be our last resort."