§ 62. Mr. ALPASSasked the Minister of Agriculture the average price paid to farmers for milk per gallon during the present yearly contracting period; what is the average price charged to consumers during the same period; and what is the average cost of transit from the point of delivery by the farmer to the wholesalers' premises?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe estimated average price paid to producers for milk—not including creamery milk—since October last has been about 16½d. per gallon. According to the Ministry of Labour's published prices the average retail price of milk since October last has been 26d. per gallon. The average railway passenger train rate for milk amounts to nearly l½d. per gallon. I have no information as to the average costs of conveying milk to the vendors' station or from the consignee's station to the wholesalers' premises.
§ Mr. SANDERSHave the Department made any efforts to press upon farmers the value of acting as direct distributors to the consumers instead of through a third party?
§ Mr. SMITHERSIn view of the discrepancy in the price between that obtained by the producer and that paid by the consumer, is not this a matter which might well be brought before the Food Council?
§ Dr. ADDISONIt is a matter that the Food Council has considered, and we are considering it.