OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 May 1941, Page 4

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

THE PRICE OF MILK (To the Editor.) Sir, —The reply of the milk vendors’ spokesmen to my letter contains many rather vague statements difficult of proof, such as: “The retailers pay a higher price per gallon than is paid in many parts of New Zealand,” “Zoning has resulted in little if any saving," “Dairies in Masterton are of a higher standard than elsewhere,” “The zoning system was legally recognised by the j Government.” Some of their statements are certain- ' ly not vague. For one, they say tha|A. the producers have increased the pried j of milk by 3d per gallon, and the in*\ ' creased charge by the retailers is ,’d \ per quart. My notice shows the increase to be Id per quart, or 4d per gallon; that shows 33 1-3 per cent profit—this for the same milk. Yet they say' that “In the increased price of milk for the winter months this does not give the vendor any monetary gain.” I don’t know who was responsible for their arithmetic, but it looks very like ’ that of “Greenbottle of the Fourth Form.” The Town Clerk’s assertion that the Borough Council approved of the scheme, but had nothing to do with the fixing of prices, is surely an admission of my complaint against the council. Why did they have nothing to do with the fixing of prices? Did they not realise what a lot they were giving away for nothing? In any case, they have had ample time since to wake up, even if they were caught napping. No wonder other towns refused to have zoning on these terms. —Yours, etc., FAIR PLAY. Masterton, May 30.