MILK FOR THE CITY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 121, 22 August 1913, Page 1

MILK FOR THE CITY.

Sunday Train From Pukekohe. An Unexpected Opposition. A further move in connection wiih ths fystematisicg of the city's milk supply was made on Tuesday afternoon (says the Auckland Star), when a deputation from the recently formed Milk Suppliers' Co-operative Association waited on the Mayor. Mr Isaac Gray, who headed the deputation, said they had come forward ta point out certain facts relating to the recent request which was made by a deputation to tha Mayor from the combined city milk vendors for the running of a Sunday tram from Pukekohe ofl the grounds that such was necessary in order to secure adequate supplies of milk for the city. Mr Gray said that the suppliers who had joined in the co-operative movement contended that there was sufficient milk within a twelve-mile radius of the city to supply the whole of the population of Auckland. The other deputation had asked the Major to request the Minister for Railways to run the Sur:day train from Pukekohe, stating that at present it only ran from Papatoetoe to the city. This was incorrect, as the train at present ran irom Papakura. The Major: What do you ask .should ha done? We s;y that additional train facilities are not needed for the city's milk supply. The Mayor: But what harm would another train do to the co-operative suppliers? Mr Gray: We claim that we can supply the whole population from districts within a twelve-mile radius of Auckland.

The Mayor: In other words, you don't want their opposition. There is the cloven hoof again. (Laughter). Do you intend opening depots in the city? Mr Gray: Yes, from the first of September. We already have a list uf suppliers whj can send 4000 gallons of milk to the city per day. That i 3 equivalent to half the city's demands.

The Mayor: But the people of Auckland are not likely to object to a train service that will bring a bigger supply of milk to the city. A member of the deputation: The country is being asked to run a train that is not necessary. ' You should not forget that the cooperative suppliers are the ones who aim at bringing down the prices. Last year the milk vendors were paying us 7d per gallon for milk which they were selling at Is 6J. During the spring, when milk was plentiful, the people of Auckland should not have been asked to pay 4d per gallon. The Mayor: I quite agree with you there. Ate you going to sell milk cheaper? Mr Gray: Yes, we give you that assurance absolutely. We have not come forward to mislead you with regard to price. The Msyor said in reply that be would, of course, be pleased to forward the representations of the deputation to the Minister, but he could not give any further assurance.