MILK DISTRIBUTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 163, 10 June 1940, Page 6

MILK DISTRIBUTION.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Your report of the deputation which waited upon the City Council at its last general meeting, in regard to the distribution of milk, has drawn two or three letters of heated protest, and as these seem to be based on a. wrong understanding of the purpose of the deputation, and moreover contain unfair references to the two ladies who comprised it, the Labour Representation Committee feels that some official statement is desirable. Firstly, it must be said that your report was not correct in imputing to the deputation the statement that 100 milkmen operated in one particular street. No such statement was made, but it is a very common thing to see throughout the city 11 or 12 milkmen operating in comparatively short streets. And this committee realises quite well that this does not apply only to the distribution of milk. Municipal control of the city’s milk supply is undoubtedly the aim of Labour interests in Palmerston. North, and while some of your correspondents may justifiably point out faults which have developed where the system has been in operation, many will agree that the advantages and benefits of such a system easily outweigh its possible disadvantages. However, this was not the prime motive behind the request that the council receive a deputation, so much as a feeling that. in order to conserve petrol a move might be made, perhaps by the council dr the Government, or even by the vendors themselves, to introduce a zoning system and set up a milk council, thereby instituting a private monopoly of the trade as in Auckland. Such a zoning system, Labour claims, could react “only to the disadvantage of the consumer, as well as the small vendor, and with this in view the. Labour Representation Committee urged the council that any move towards the rationalisation of the industry that might be contemplated should be made in the direction of eventual municipalisation. I would like, too, to extend the thanks of this committee to the City Council for receiving the deputation, and for the courteous consideration that was given to the representations made. I am, etc.. Q CANTJjONj Hon. Secretary. Palmerston North, 8-6-40.