Municipal Milk.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1922, Page 4

Municipal Milk.

CASH-TX-ADVAXCE SYSTEM. AVEM.TXGTOX, July 10. The Well ngton C‘tv Owned took over tlie whole of live milk-distribut-ing from ill - v'odors yesterday, mid the new system worked with surprising .smoothness, despite the fact that there was considerable opposition, especially frofn the vendors who have been displaced. It is allged that the worst hitch of the day arose over former employees' of a vendor, who had joined the municipal milk, department, starting out with milk for delivery on their old rounds, but returning in a few hours without having clone their duty. However, hy this time other roundsmen were also returning, and they set out again to fill the gap. Tile city has boon purchasing milk from farmers and supplying it to vendors for two years. Xow it takes complete charge of the system, delivering milk in sealed bottles, which are returned each day for cleansing, sterilising and refilling. The last process is done by automatic machines imported from America, which can fill 7,000 bottles per hour, capping them with cardboard caps hearing the date of supply. Tt is necessary to fill 18.000 bottles to

meet one day’s requirements. The greatest change as it affects the consumer is that there are to bo no more milk bills. Roundsmen are directed not to accept cash. Everything lias to he paid for by coupon, which means that milk must be paid for in advance. A large number of storekeepers have undertaken to sell coupons, and it is suggested by those responsible for the coupon system that it alone will effect sufficient saving to make a difference in the milk hill shortly.