MILK ZONING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24420, 4 October 1940, Page 9

MILK ZONING

SCHEME FOR DUNEDIN NO PROGRESS MADE GOVERNMENT APATHY BLAMED Although one of the largest attendances of milk vendors and vendor-sup-pliers seen in Dunedin expressed willingness at a meeling on July 10 to cooperate with the Government in a zoning scheme for the city, no progress has been made m the matter, and it is doubtful if anv developments will occur in the neat future. The need for petrol rationing seems, however to be equally as great, and. in fact, an excellent propaganda film sponsored by the Government is at present being shown in city theatres stressing the many advantages of zoning and the desire of the State for its introduction. At the meeting on July 10 a Government representative addressed those present, and a resolution was carried urging the Government to form a Milk Board in Dunedin Two representatives of the milk vendors and pro-ducer-vendors were appointed and. judged from the enthusiasm ot the trade generally, it appeared that milk zoning would soon be introduced into Dunedin. Representations were made to the Government for the necessary legislatiop to be passed, and in reply a copy of the regulations was received.

Preparation of Scheme

The Milk Venders’ Association considered a proposal for the city, but it was unwilling to undertake the big task of preparing a full and detailed scheme until some indication could be obtained from the Government whether the basis of it would be acceptable. The association was desirous of eliminating red tape from a zoning scheme wherever possible and its proposals were designed to give the best possible service to consumers and to consider the best interests of vendors.

No help was given in this direction by the Government, and, apart from a reply received on August 22 that the Oil Fuel Controller and the Minister of Supply (Mr D. G. Sullivan) had the matter under consideration, no advice has been received by the Milk Vendors’ Association for a considerable period. Vendors have been willing to co-operate in a zoning scheme to save petrol, but they feel that there is not the same willingness on the part of the Government Labour Problem Growing One milk vendor told an Otago Daily Times reporter yesterday that, while it still seemed necessary to introduce zoning to save petrol, it was becoming more and more desirable as the war progressed to bring in such a scheme to assist the labour problem. With more and more men being called up for military service, it was becoming increasingly difficult to obtain labour for the trade, and this difficulty was one that would increase as time went on. Zoning he said, would not only provide an efficient and economical service, but would effect a big saving in labour and working expenses.

Milk zoning was only one of many schemes that could be introduced in Dunedin to save overlapping of trade deliveries, he said, and if the Government were so anxious to save petrol it was to be regretted "that it had not done more to bring about milk zoning in Dunedin. Perhaps, he added, the pressure from the motor trade for increased petrol allowances had affected its view of zoning but zoning was a means of saving petrol which could then be used in other ways.