MUNICIPAL MILK SUPPLY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2813, 12 February 1908, Page 10

MUNICIPAL MILK SUPPLY.

AN IMPATIENT MEDICO.

(From Our Own Correspondent ) AUCKLAND, February 4,

An angry member of the City Council (Dr Stopford) made things lively at last night's meeting of that body. The Finance Committee reporting on the question of a depot for humanised milk) for infants recommended that the attitude of the Government be first ascertained on certain points, whoreupon Dr Stopford arose in his wiath. " The committee," he exclaimed, " is simply shelving the question of humanised milk. You have a death-rate amongst children just now that is exceedingly high, and you are absolutely callous in every shape and form to -the infant life of this city."

Mr A. J. Entrican: You're too strong.

Dr Stopford : I am not too strong, Mr Councillor Entrioan. If your child was a youngster you'd feel strong about it. The Mayo, : You must not get excited, Cr Stopford.

Dr Stopfoid: "On a question of life and death I will get excited.

The Mayor : Councillor Stopford will be good enough to always stop when I am addressing him.

Dr Stopford : Yes. I'm sorry I interrupted.

The Mayor went on to say this matter had been very carefully consideied, and it was because the committee desired to take steps of a practical nature that it had brought the recommendation forward. It was no good making recommendations if there was no certainty that the source of supply was pure. The committee was fully alive to the question, and the Government was also recognising the importance of it and had allocated £10,000 for dairy inspection. When the committee was satisfied that the Government was doing its duty, and seeing that the source of supply wa« pure, then it w-ould behove the council to take such action as would assure consumers of the purity of the supply in the city. The question teemed with difficulties. There was not a member of the council who was not desirous of doing something, and the committee would welcome assistance from Dr Stopford in his professional capacity, and look to him to help it. but he must not cast reflections on the commitee as he had done. He (the Mayor) was sure they were all pleased to sea Lady Plunket taking up another aspect of the question of infant life. Dr Stopford: Why should it come from Lady Plunket, or any other Plunket? Why should it not come from you as mayor of the city? It is not philanthropy, it is justice we want. The Mayor said that before Dr Stopford entered the council he (the mayor) went exhaustively into the matter, and there was the question whether the council should municipalise the whole supply and have a clearing house for the lot. Investigation showed that it was by no means such an ea=y matter as it might be supposed. During the last two or three months nftthing was done, because there wete important matters lequiring immediate attention. Dr Stopford had called the committee callous but it was nothing of the kind. It had discussed this question for a considerable time, and resetted it did not have the presence of Dr fcltopford to assist it; but tho council must fiist be satisfied that the milk leached the city in a pure state, and then it would be for the council to take steps to sec that the consumer receded the milk in a wholesome condition.

Mr L. J. Bagnall said the experience in Wellington was that an attempt to establish a humanized milk depot was a failure. He understood _t]iat a reliable local firm was now putting- the article on the market. What Lady Plunkel proposed had noth ng to do with the council. She proTJo^ed to have instruction given to those in chai go <">' children how to look after them, and tha' was no part of the council's duty. Dr Stonfoi-d: The Chaiitalile Aid or Hospital Boa id should do il then. Mr 11. M. Smeetpn lemaikcd that humanised nnlk could he supplied pmdtelv. It would not be advisable to ha\e a mmi 1 cipal depot, as the public could afford the reasonable charges "made by loc.il firni<\ Tho roui'cil must wait until it saw lhat the supply was pujf.

Dr Stopford wanted to speak a little on this subject. Mr Bagnall : You have spoken already. Dr Stopford: Good Lord <telher us. Let me have a show sometimes. I did not interrupt you when you spoke about 40 times the other night. — (Laughter.) The Mayor then made some remark, and Dr Stopford went on to say, "Mr Bagnall is absolutely absurd. I will send my report to the papers." Mr A. J. Entrioan: As I am a member of the " callous " committee, I should like to add a word or two. Dr Stopford is a very severe critic, and it is because he does not Imow the difficulties that he criticises in this way. There is not a member of the council callous in regard to the live» of little children. The difficulty -is that the council has only control within the city; boundaries, and it seems to me the Health! Department should; be the one to take charge. The Pure Foods Act haa been; passed, and it is not easy to know whether the Government will include milk in the list. Most probably it will. The council has done a good work, and a great many of the dairies which existed before have shut up since the council undertook the inspection. Dir Stopford : May Ibe allowed to retire, as I regret that Mr Bagnall should have so usurped your Worship s authority as to interrupt me in that way. Mr Bagnall: I think that's a very unfair; thing to say. * Voices: "Take no notice." Dr Stopford then left the chamber, and as he waa going the Mayor called him back, but the Doctor disappeared 1 with the reply, "Not to-night, your Worship."