MILK FOR TOWN SUPPLIES

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25732, 18 February 1949, Page 3

MILK FOR TOWN SUPPLIES

CONDITIONS ON SOME FARMS CRITICISED DEBATE ON INSPECTION SYSTEM <PA.) NAPIER, February 17. A lack of co-operation between the Department of Agriculture and municipal health inspectors in seeing that sanitary conditions existed on farms supplying milk for town consumption, Was alleged by some delegates at the conference of the Municipal Association to-day. Other speakers said inspections were satisfactory, and a „ remit on the subject was lost. Mr W. Kemp (Masterton) moved that inspectors of milk authorities, or of local bodies, where there were no milk authorities, be given power to inspect the premises and plant on farms supplying milk for town consumption. Mr Kemp said that this proposition had no reference to inspecting the animals themselves, as this was done by departmental inspectors, but was to ensure that milking sheds were kept in sanitary condition. He contended that the Department of Agriculture was not ensuring' that the standard of cleanliness was as high as it should be, and that there was a lack of co-operaticn by the department. This view was supported by Mr E. W. Nicolaus (Upper Hutt), who seconded the remit. Delegates from the Auckland district said the system of inspections in the north was satisfactory. Mr M. H. Moss (Stratford) said that inspections could be carried out with the agreement of farmers. This consent had been given in most districts. Last July, green slime was found in cans in which milk was delivered to a treating house at Palmerston North, said Mr G. Tremaine (Palmerston North). Some effective system of inspection was necessary. Mr L. H. Clapham (Hawera) said he thought that borough inspectors would not have sufficient knowledge of milk supply needs, and suggested that a special committee be set up to go into the matter with the Department of Agriculture. The remit was lost on the voices.