WHANGAREI MILK SUPPLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22206, 5 September 1935, Page 15

WHANGAREI MILK SUPPLY

STANDARD OF CLEANLINESS DEPARTMENT'S CONCERN [from our own correspondent] WHANGAREI, "Wednesday The standard of cleanliness of the milk supply of Whangarei was the subject of a letter from the Department of Health to the Whangarei Borough Council on Monday. The letter stated the matter had caused the department some concern during the past year. It was proposed to carry out an investigation from the point of view of cleanliness at once. Regular sampling would be required and the services of the council's sanitary inspector would be of great assistance. "We have in New Zealand no bacteriological standard for milk as compared with other countries," said Mr. N. E. Crimp. He contended the council should obtain for its inspector authority to make tests of milk which he could not do at present. At present, he said, there was no adequate check against the supplying of milk from cows suffering from tuberculosis. He moved that application should be made for the appointment of an inspector under the Food and Drugs Act and that such an inspector should co-operate and confer with the local medical officer.-

The motion was lost and Mr. R. S. Finch moved that the borough sanitary inspector should co-operate with the Department of Health as requested by the Health Department, and that a copy of the report on his investigations should be supplied to the council. Mr. J. G. Barclay said the time had arrived when the borough would have to take action to seo that consumers were safeguarded. A borough of the size of Whangarei should have a more adequate system of inspection. The Mayor, Mr. W. Jones, pointed out that any increase of the duties of the sanitary inspector would mean the appointment of another, inspector us the time of the present officer was fully occupied. Mr. Finch's motion was carried.