MILK SUPPLY LIKE WELLINGTON’S

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 196, 17 May 1944, Page 10

MILK SUPPLY LIKE WELLINGTON’S

Lower Hutt Labour Plank OTHER CAMPAIGN POINTS

Labour’s policy for Lower Hutt city was presented by the mayoral candidate, Mr. I*. Dowse, and other candidates at meetings this week. Mr. Dowse said his party largely contested the election. on the issues of water supply, sanitation, children’s ■ play areas and milk supply. The opposition were advertising advice not to entrust civie affairs to amateurs with wildcat schemes. An adequate, assured water supply, a sanitary system which would not have sewage backing up on people’s sections, a safe, satisfactory milk supply and small play areas for children were not wildcat schemes. Were the Citizens’ candidates professionals? With a 30,000 population, Lower Hutt hud only three hours’ water supply storage ; no more than when Petone had the larger population. Sewerage was deplorable; a deaf car had been turned to I*-year-old complaints. There had been so many complaints about milk that .the Health Department advised a pasteurized supply. Yet the Citizens’ council sat idly by while milk powder had. in many cases, to be prescribed for babies.. There was no more justification for leaving the milk supply to private enterprise than there would be for allowing it to handle the water supply. Labour would introduce a satisfactory supply on the lines of Wellington city.

Mr. 11. V. Horlor said the lack of water for sanitation and firefighting would be a positive danger in the event. of a breakdown in the electric pumping system. With half the representation and more than half the financial interest in the gas board. Lower Hutt streets were .tn disrepair through lack of sealing with tar which could he obtained from the district gas works. It used only fl.vOO gallons last year, against 19.000 used br Petone, 15.000 sold to Masterton. ano 12.000 to Marton, all smaller places. #

Mr. S. Chesney advocated the composting of city waste —not its partial collection and destruction, with the rest left to breed flies. Nearby commercial growers were clamouring for manures while the council paid to destroy vegetable matter and other city waste. The gas pressure was continually low: be would press for a remedy.

Lack of playing areas meant danger ta children compelled to seek recreation on the streets, said Mr. M. C. McTaggart

When fuel restriel ions lifted the danger would increase considerably. He would particularly favour what the city now lacked —small community art. literature and adult education centres. * * s

Labour’s policy was based on reason, justice and common sense, said Mr. J. »■ Burton. The city’s milk position was. on the evidence, most unsatisfactory. 1 lie Health Department found one sample in 12 below standard, and Hie Milk Commission found this average much worse than that for the whole Wellington district. The Wellington city scheme was unexcelled in quality and efficiency. Jn 20 years not one unsatisfactory sample had'been taken from a milk department cart or lorry. Lower Hutt could have a similar scheme from men whose first concern was the consunier.