MILK CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1933, Page 2

MILK CONFERENCE

MINISTER’S PROPOSAL ADOPTER.

FIXING THE RETAIL PRICE.

iFer Press Association — Copyright )

AUCKLAND, July 17

At the milk conference, after a long dscussion, the Hon. J. G. Cobbe, proposed a private meeting of a committee representing all of the interested parties.

Little headway was made, and open discussions were then resumed. Many delegates expressed the view that legislation setting up a Milk Council, I with power to license the producers j and vendois, and to fix prices, was the ! only solution of the problem. ! Mr Cobbe said that legislation j would -bo ai two-edged sword, as such * a Council might eliminate many of the ; producers and vendors now operating. ; He proposed that the conference should ■ agree to fix the retail prices at fourpence per quart loose, and fourpence ' half-penny bottled, and that the vendors should pay the producers not loss , than sixpence half- penny per gallon net at the farm. : Although this proposal met with a mixed reception, it was eventually agreed to, but one organisation, which is credited with being responsible for reducing the retail prices to the pre- : sent general levcd namely, three pence • per quart loose and four pence per quart bottled dissented from the proposal .

1 The Minister expressed his view, | after consulting with the representatives of that organisation, that they should come into line, but these representatives made no such public statement,

It was arranged that the new prices should operate from Saturday next. Mr Cobbe said that if pirating took place, he would consider taking action under the Board of Trade Act, but he would make no definite promise on that point.