ZONING A FAILURE ?

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21369, 13 March 1941, Page 9

ZONING A FAILURE ?

HAMILTON’S MILK SUPPLY BOROUGH COUNCIL DISCUSSION That the council had made a mistake when it approved of milk supply zoning, even if it were only for the duration of the war and even if it effected a big saving in petrol, was an opinion expressed by Mr H. M. Hammond at the Hamilton Borough Council meeting last night. He thought the council should take the earliest steps to rectify the mistake. He was not suggesting that milk below standard in quality was being retailed, but he thought people who had become used to certain milk should, be enabled to procure that milk. It seemed to him that the restrictions were like compulsory supply of brown bread in one stieet and white bread in the next street. Dissatisfaction was rife, especially among the mothers of children. The council should consider the position. Mr J. R. Fow said he could confirm those statements. He had been assailed in many quarters with blame for permitting an unpopular system. Mr D. I. Gate reminded councillors that some time ago he had brought the matter up. The zoning system had, he believed, not given satisfaction even to the vendors of milk. Mr Fow said it seemed absurd that people had to cut down supplies because the milk was not appetising. The zoning system was not working satisfactorily for consumers. Council Not To Blame The Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, said that really the council had nothing to do with zoning. The vendors had asked the Borough Council and the Chamber of Commerce to each appoint a representative on the executive committee, and Mr McCaw had been appointed by the council. Mr Gate said he had noticed five vendors had recently been prosecuted for selling milk that did not comply with the requirements of the Health Department. A committee should investigate. Mr Croall said the trouble could best be remedied by adopting his earlier suggestion that all milk for the town should be brought to one central depot, mixed there, and distributed as of exactly one quality. Mr Shattock: Municipalisatiou of milk supply? The Mayor suggested that the Minister of Supply be asked to revert to the old system. Eventually Messrs Gate, Hammond, McCaw and Fow were asked to report to next meeting their recommendations on the subject. Those present were His Worship the Mayor. Mr H. D. Caro, and Messrs F. Findlay, W. M. Cann, W. R. Shattock F. C. House, C. Croall, H. M. Hammond, T. G. Reynolds, C. Lafferty, J. R. Fow, D. I. Gate, and senior officers of the staff.