ZONED SUPPLY

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21246, 17 October 1940, Page 6

ZONED SUPPLY

MILK IN HAMILTON BOROUGH COUNCIL OPINIONS APPROVED FOR WAR TIME Opinions of the milk zoning scheme in Hamilton were expressed at a meeting of the Hamilton Borough Council last night when views for and against the plan were forthcoming. The discussion was the outcome of a letter from the district oil fuel controller asking if the council approved of the new method of milk delivery. The Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, presided and also present were Messrs W. M. Cann, C. Croall, F. C. House, R. McCaw, H. M. Hammond, C. Lafferty, F. Findlay, J. R. Fow, T. G. Reynolds, W. W. Dillicar, W. R. Shattock and the borough officers. Working Satisfactorily A report on the work done in putting the scheme into operation was given by Mr McCaw, who was the council’s arbiter for the milk zoning scheme. The speaker said that after the first two or three days following the change-over the zoning worked satisfactorily. The statement that he had heard one or two complaints of hardship was made by Mr Lafferty. In addition, asked the speaker, was the economic advantage to be only for those who sold the milk or was it also to go to the purchasers? Another point to be considered was the position of peoplp who wanted milk early, and whose milkman did not arrive until late. Rigid Inspection “If the scheme is to continue,” said Mr Shattock, “the inspection of milk and the utensils used in connection with it should be more rigid.” That part of milk supply was in the hands of the Health Department, said the sanitary inspector, Mr J. W. Lewis.

Agreement with the zoning scheme, purely as a war measure, was expressed from Mr Hammond, who said that most people liked to please themselves where they bought their milk. The spirit of competition in milk deliveries had been entirely removed and thus there was a danger that the consumers’ interests might not be so closely watched. Mr Reynolds also expressed the view that the inspection of the sources of supply in Hamilton should be tightened. Central Depot Advocated “I do not agree that this should be just a war measure,” said Mr Croall. “It is just unfortunate that some milkmen have milk that has a lower test than others’. If all the milk were sent to a central depot to be mixed and cleaned, as it can be, an even grade would be the result. If this zoning scheme is a good thing in war time, surely it should be a good thing in peace time.” Proposed by the Mayor, the following resolution was carried: “That the council approves the milk zoning in Hamilton as a war measure only, and expresses the opinion that the public would be pleased if the savings effected were passed on to the consumer. It is also felt that a more rigid inspection should be maintained.”