August 19: Milk money that doesn’t add up

REGARDING Saturday’s question about the price of milk (The Yorkshire Post, August 15), I would gladly give more if, and I mean it, I was 100 per cent sure that the dairy farmers received every penny of it.

If the price went up by 10p a litre, I suspect the farmer would receive maybe 5p or 6p and the rest would go in “administration” or somewhere else.

Last year, I was paying £2 for four litres (i.e. 50p/litre) of semi-skimmed milk at our local supermarket.

Last year, the farmer was receiving about 33p/litre for full fat milk collected at the farm gate.

This year, I am still paying £2 for four litres milk (i.e. 50p/litre) of semi-skimmed milk at our local supermarket

This year, the farmer is being paid 23p/litre for full fat milk at the farm gate.

Now, I am not a mathematician but somewhere between the farmer and me, there seems to be 10p/litre floating about, I know not where.

When I inquired about 
a new motor car of the same make and same model as I have now, I was told that the price of a new one had gone up considerably and the waiting 
list for a new one was quite long as they were selling them 
as quickly as they could make them.

Funny that, isn’t it? A glut of motor cars – the price goes up for the buyer.

A glut of milk – the price goes down to the producer.

House of dishonour

From: Dave Croucher, Pinfold Gardens, Doncaster.

THE House of Lords is proving once again that it is far too expensive to the taxpayer – these people can claim £300 a day for just turning up. They are no better than the benefit cheats, they are milking the system just the same.

These people address each other title as “Right Honourable Gentleman or Lady”. I can think of a few names that would fit them better.

Far from grim in Grimsby

From: Coun Tim Mickleburgh (Lab), Boulevard Avenue, Grimsby.

I WAS pleased to see the front page headline “Grimsby’s Pace in the Movies”, together with the article inside about the new independently produced film “Pleasure Island” (The Yorkshire Post, August 11).

All too often our town is the butt of humour, largely arising from the name Grim which conjures up images of slag heaps and the like. Yet though we had our heavy industry, that took place miles out to sea. Thus we haven’t got the urban spoils that can mar other Northern towns of similar size.

When people take the trouble to come to North East Lincolnshire, they see towns worth visiting, with affordable properties available for those wishing to work here.

So it certainly isn’t Grim in Grimsby!

Dignity for the dying

From: Peter Hyde, Kendale Drive, Driffield.

READING the story of Bob Cole having to travel to a Dignitas Clinic to end his life makes me think that such a clinic should be allowed here. I had to make a hundred-mile round trip six times to sit by the bed of my dying mother. She was 91 years old, unconscious and was not being fed. There was absolutely no chance of recovery, so why not gently ease her life away?

Some years prior to that my father had a stroke at 75 and again I was obliged to travel after work to sit by his bedside waiting for the inevitable end, which incidentally came just after I arrived home after yet another traumatic night.

We would not allow a dog to suffer as they did, so why allow humans to do so? Yes I know it is open to misuse, but not if there were safeguards in place. Surely all avoidable suffering is cruel and should not be allowed to continue.

Young talent in concert

From: Sylvia and Ray Ford, Oulton, Leeds.

WHAT a beautiful noise at Leeds Town Hall. What a privilege to hear the National Children’s Orchestra making music conducted so splendidly by Roger Clarkson.

We were amazed that children of 12 and 13 years old could attack Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 so competently and the whole programme was an absolute treat. We are so fortunate to have such talented youngsters in our midst when there is much emphasis on how much time is spent using electronic devices. The discipline and hard work needed to produce this standard of performance is greatly appreciated. Thank you to all concerned.

Green grass of home

From: Hilary Andrews, Leeds.

IS it only me who gets angry at people who park their cars on the green grass that borders most of our suburban streets? It really makes me wonder if they ever think about how much our councils are trying too preserve some beauty in the cities.