WELLINGTON NOTES.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1918, Page 1

WELLINGTON NOTES.

WELLINGTON’S MILK SUPPLY,

ANOTHER SCHEME

(Our Special Correspondent)

WELLINGTON July i: l. AVollingon lias another milk supply scheme, wliich, if not quite as satisfactory to the citizens as an adequate supply of milk would be, at least will revive their hopes of obtaining that boon before another winter is upon them. The scheme was submitted to the City Council at its meeting last night by the Milk Committee, and proposes; the institution of a receiving station—“or, if found necessary, two stations, one on each line, "YYnirarapa and Mnnawatu”—in the largest milk-producing centre, to supplement the supplies obtainable from the present dairies. When the milk from the private dairies is found insufficient for the needs of the city, further supplies are to be called in from the receiving station, or stations, and the present vendors unclei an assurance of good conduct and with a guarantee of participation in the profits, are to be employed jn its distribution. The recommendations of the Committee were, adopted by the Council the Mayor, it is understood, dissenting, but it will bo some time, to use the saving phrase of the Committee, before it can be put into actual operation HOPE DEFERRED. The scheme is admittedly an nmhitious one, involving an experiment in municipal service eclipsing anything the Council has yet attempted and naturally it is being assailed this morning with a good deal of doubting criticism Apparently the establishment of receiving stations, would necessitate the establishment, also of a cheese and butter factory, or, at any rate an arrangement with one of the existing factories for the treatment of the milk not required by the city. “The balance of the milk not required for city purposes,” the Committee says, “will be made up into butter, c-heose and cream which will have its commercial value and can be'sold at the City Council's milk shop.” Here is a new enterprise altogether and praetival men are sceptical concerning the ability of the municipality to carry it to a successful conclusion. The general feeling at the moment, indeed, is that the scheme will do little more than provide the Council with material for discussion for a month or two and then will go the way of its .predecessors , - - -“PROGRESS OF’THE- WAR Though the cablegrams . received during the past week scarcely justify in the eves of local “experts” the jubilant headlines they have been given by the majority of the newspapers, there is a feeling abroad that the Allies have definitely gained the upper hand on the Western Front, and that the. enemy's offensive may lose much of its force before the approach of winter compels the suspension of operations on a large scale 'Even in high places it- is hinted that there may bo a delay in sending the early Reinforcements of next- year away and the appointment of a. Repatriation Board, though it may mean no more than making a necessary preparation well ahead, is taken in some quarters as an indication of high hopes on the part of those in authority. 01' course no one is counting upon peace being close at hand hut many people are regarding it as among the possibilities of the near future LAND AND PRICES A well-known commercial man, with largo land interests throughout the North Island, speaking this morning expressed serious concern regarding the high prices being paid for dairying land. During the last few weeks properties of this description hare changed hands at prices ranging from £oq to £9O an aero according to the quality of the soil and the proximity to a dairy factory. These prices are equivalent to annual rental of from £.l to £o an acre, and contemplate the continuance of the present high prices for butter-fat for all time, if not. an actual increase following upon the development of th 0 dried milk industry. The chances, this authority says, are all against such an as-

sumption being realised. 'Hie supplies of dairy produeo will increase more rapidly than tho effective demand a year or two after the war, and buyers of land who have calculated upon famine prices being maintained will be left lamenting .