Unorganised Milk The milk war is averted, and the consumer
can rest easy till next year's milk war begins to threaten. The farmers get part of what they wanted-14s. per 12 gallons, instead of the 14s. 4d. asked for and the 13,. 9d. offered—but such grievance as there was regarding the 25 per cent, of supplies whieh gets only the manufacturing price (about 5d. a gallon) remains. The settlement is likely to be generally accepted, but wrangling between producers and distributors continues- in various districts. The whole business has concentrated attention on the Milk Reorganization Commission whose report is expected shortly. Under the Agricultural Marketing Act any steps up to full State control (devolved no doubt on some sort of public utility corporation) of production and distribution can be recommended. It would be a bold commission that would go that length with an industry in which the small producer (who is often his own distributor) figures so largely, but it can hardly stop short of creating some kind of price-fixing machinery—which is likely hi the end to benefit the farmer more. than the distributor, . for the latter has been in much .the strongest negotiating position so far. If that happens next year's milk-war may not materialize at fer all..
Previous page
