THE DAIRY REGULATIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6488, 7 April 1908, Page 7

THE DAIRY REGULATIONS

DEPCTATION TO THE HON. G. FOWLDS. DUNEDIN ASSOCIATION’S PROTEST. PRESS ASSOCIATION. DUNEDIN, April 0. A deputation from the Dairymen’s Association waited on the Hon, G. Fowkls to-day in connection with the recent, reeuititioii'S adopted with regard to milk fiiinplv. Mr D. Hoy (president of the association.) said they objected to the regulations rnrfde under the Pure Food 1 till for tho sale of milk. The time stipulated to elapse from the date of a cow calving to when her milk was conoxdored fit for use was ten f.'iys- 'i ni ' they considered unreasonably long, and in direct conflict with the dairy regulations of tlie Stock Department, which only provided for four days. Enforcement of that clauses on dairy farms would mean that the best milk of the st'-ison would Iso lost from each of the herd. Regarding tho standard, which had been fixed at 3.25, they pointed out that while tho average amount of huttor fat for thcycaj would bo Übout 3.73 per cent., at otner times a standard of 3 per cent, could scarcely be maintained. The butter fat championship at the recent big show was awarded to a cow whose test was only 3 per cent., while other competicoi reached 1.7, yet over a four days teal tho winner snowed over a pound above the others. A standard of 3 per cent, was rea.sonablo. As for the' regulations governing the sale of milk, he suggested adding to No. 1, forbidding any can containing milk to remain standing or a footpath, “unless properly covered. No. 2 forbade tho vrtishing of a can excep. in a properly constructed building. As on many farms tho boiler and washing trough were outside, and no place better was provided, the regulation was unnecessary. No. 3, forbidding tho mixing of milk except in a properly constructed building, vMs sure to bring trouble, as tho mixing of milk on a round was absolutely necessary to ensure customers getting an equal amount of cream. Nos. 11 to 17 dealt with Shops where milk was sold. This was recognised to bo a weak spot in Dunedin's milt supply, •and the deputation would refer'*tho Minister to the dairy inspector's report. Finally, tho maximum fine (.£2O) was too heavy; .£5 would be fairer. Several other speakers endorsed Air Roy’s remarks. Mr Fowlds assured them it was not tho desire of the Department to htirry them or interfere with their ordinary business. All regulations dealing witn the supply of pure food had to be more or less stringent, or people would do as they liked. The regulations would be enforced with reason. In certain seasons of the year the standard of 3.25 might bo Vi high average: in other Seasons the average might bo low. The Department had no desire to prevent them selling milk below the standard, so long as its quality was made clear. They had made something of tho point regarding the mixing of milk on a round. At the same time it seemed to him that the treatment of milk in this way was insanitary, as milk might pick up all sorts of retime flying about. The matter, however, would receive careful consideration. Regarding the time in which cows milk became ready for use, in fixing upon ten davs the Department thought this reasonable. With regard to cleaning carte, this was a stinitary matter of some importance, and regulations had to he more or less strict. So far they had no cause to complain against tho working of the regulations, tmd so long as their business was conducted properly they would not bo interfered with. He would later go carefully into the various representations they had made.