MILK INSPECTIONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26915, 29 October 1948, Page 6

MILK INSPECTIONS

DUNEDIN BOARD'S AREA QUESTION OF FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES A sub-committee of the Dunedin Metropolitan Milk Board was set up last night to investigate the question of the employment of full-time inspectors by the board.- The chairman, Mr W. B. Taverner, the secretary, Mr A. E. Russell, and Mr N. H. Shepherd were appointed to consult the chief inspector, who is the city sanitary inspector, Mr G. E, Stokes, and report to the board. The question of employing full-time inspectors was raised by Mr Shepherd. He said that the board spent £350 a year to obtain the part-time services of an inspector and two assistants, and the money might well be spent in employing a full-time inspector. He added that such an Inspector was required under the regulations, and in fairness to vendors, who were required to do so, the board should comply with them. A full-time milk inspector could also carry out inspections of vendors’ trucks and service to customers. Mr L. J. T. Ireland said that three permanent inspectors would bfe required. One alone would cost the board from £535 to £575 a year. The board now had a good contract for the present system of inspection. “I don’t think full-time inspectors are justified, as few complaints about milk are being received at present,” Mr J. G. Barnes said. Representing the Department pf Agriculture, Mr T. McD. Foster said that about 2000 gallons ot milk delivered in Dunedin by producervendors was not tested every day, only periodically. He suggested that a conference should be held with these vendors to improve the testing system, as their milk was not treated at the treating station. The chairman said 'hat if members thought that there were any aspects of the testing of milk that needed improvement, they could be given attention. < After Mr Taverner had suggested that the secretary should find out how much time, was now spent on the testing of milk, the proposal that a subcommittee should be set up was adopted.