CHEAPER MILK

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12620, 3 December 1926, Page 3

CHEAPER MILK

FOR SUMMER MONTHS EFFICIENT CITY SUPPLY THE AIM OF THE DEPARTMENT The aim of the milk committee of the Wellington City Council is to provide citizens with a cheap and efficient milk supply, and with the idea of furthering this aim it was decided at last night’s meeting of the council that the retail price of milk be reduced by id per quart for the summer period from a date to be arranged this month. In presenting the recommendation, Councillor W. H. Bennett, chairman of the committee, reminded the council that at the summer and winter periods it was necessary, to estimate the receipts and expenditure before fixing the price of milk, so that their, coupon system might operate through their agencies. “It was felt by the committee that we should consider our position and with a view to helping the producer by stimulating a greater consumption of what is known to he one of tne best foods in existence, and also giving ;tlie people the benefit of the lower cost, we have decided to recommend to the council the reduction in price,” he added. , THE CONSUMER BENEFITS “We have sufficient profit in sight to meet all our usual allotments as well as to meet any winter loss; our polioy, as you know, being to make the summer profits bear some of the extra cost during the winter, when our product costs us 85 per cent, above that of' the summer period. Though one half-penny reduction dpes not mean a ' great deal to the average- householder, the will he interested to know that it means a very large amount to us, our profit being less by £1225 per month. To give effect to the recommendation Will cause the department. and the public - some little inconvenience, in so much that it will be'necessary to take stock of ail our agencies to make the change. It will be necessary to thoroughly notify the public so that they can fit their coupon supply in with the term. There are many reasons' why we cannot - change the coupons in the middle of a season. Might I add that perhaps the tow price being received for milk products may bring ’ dairying land hack to its legitimate value, although many unfortunates will not get the benefit.” Councillor G. A. Troup complimented the committee on the satisfactory state of the finances of the department it controlled as compared with this time last year. He thought the reduction would be justified.