THE CONSUMPTION OF MILK
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATORS] SIR,—In an article entitled " Health and the Farmer," the importance of a much larger consumption of milk is stressed, and the writer concludes by saying that " the solution is probably to be found in an increased distribution of relief in kind on the lines of the British plan of free milk, or cheap milk, in schools." As a solution to this problem it strikes me as singularly fatuous. Moreover, it is high time we ceased to regard • doles as the simplest method of solving our social problems. People nowadays are far more ready to live on charity than they used to be, and it is not a healthy state of affairs. Too often it enables people to evade their obligations, and releases money to be spent on luxuries which other folk who have to contribute cannot afford. Where there is real poverty and people are striving to do their duty against im- possible odds, they should by all means be helped. But remember that the real poverty is not only amongst those who at present get so much done for them, but amongst many people of moderate means who get nothing done for them, and who not only have a hard struggle themselves, but are called upon to help others who may be really better off than they are.
What is badly needed in regard to milk, as to other necessi- ties, is a cheapening of the price to the consumer. This is the real solution. There is a strong feeling in the minds of many that the consumers are exploited, and that more profits than should be made out of the necessities of life are being made. This it is which will ultimately drive many people to demand the socialisation of these commodities, and the elimination of all unnecessary persons and profits which stand between the producer and the consumer.—Yours faithfully,
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