DAIRYING REGULATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13699, 16 March 1908, Page 6

DAIRYING REGULATIONS.

OPPOSITION IN DUN EDI N

RISE IN MILK FORECASTED.

[Ill' TELEGRAPH. — I* ESS ASSOCIATION.]

Dunedin, Sunday. Tun new dairying regulations issued by the Health Department, and which cunic into force on March 1, have exercised a, very disturbing influence upon all those connected with the dairying industry, The president of the Dairymen's Association (Mr. I). Roy), in an interview, said the present regulations had entirely missed then mark, as they showed that the rules of two Departments were contrary to one another. One of the Health Department's now rules was that 15 days must elapse after a cow's calving before the milk was fit for consumption. The Stock Department's rule eaid only four days need elapse. The Health Department were not in a position to determine when a cow had calved, as only the Stock Department had the right to inspect dairymen's promises; The Health Department's new milk standard, that milk delivered for human consumption mu<>t not 1 contain less than per cent, of fatty solids, Mr. Roy considered much too drasj tic. The universal standard was three per cent., and the. new rule would bo strongly | opposed. Mr, Roy also said the regulation i prohibiting the standing of milk or cam; on any public footpath or pavement was altogether too stringent, as it would hinder expeditious delivery, and double the hours of employees. The regulation preventing the washing of cans or utensils except in properly-constructed buildings was also objected to, as being too rigorous. At present most of the farmers had ouUside wooden racks in conjunction with a good water supply at a reasonable distance from the byres, where cleansing work was carried on. The prohibition of the manipulation of milk, such as mixing except in a properly-constructed building would, #aid Mr. Roy, mean that customers who got the first milk would have the cream, while those supplied last would get inferior milk. To meet the trouble the farmers suggest that each driver should carry a cloth or other strainer with him. A penalty of £20 for an infringement of the regulations is also considered too severe, the farmers holding that a maximum of £5 is ample. New regulations of this nature had, Mr. Roy continued, the tendency to raise the price of milk. Milk was very scarce at present, and there was sure to be an advance for the coming winter. If the new regulations were enforced, a substantial rise was to be looked for. It was not intended, however, to submit to the new laws. The proper authorities were to be approached, and a revision of the rules was looked for.