ADULTERATION OF MILK

Southland Times, Issue 21198, 26 September 1930, Page 4

ADULTERATION OF MILK

STRICTURES BY THE COURT. PUBLICATION OF ADVERTISEMENT THREATENED. Although cases of adulteration of milk by suppliers of the commodity are, happily, not general in Southland, recent Health Department prosecutions, in which the allegations against the defendants have been of a somewhat serious nature, evoked pertinent comment from the local Magistrate, Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M. In such proceedings, divers circumstances in extenuation of the offences are invariably advanced by the persons charged. “A leaky cooler” is the. plea in mitigation which holds pride of place, though a deficiency in the cows’ feed, children carelessly playing around at milking hour and other pseudo thought-provoking excuses assail the Court. The fact that the Court views gravely the deliberate adulteration of milk has been emphasized in such prosecutions and, recently, Mr Levvey, issued a warning that, in the event of any further proceedings coming before him, he would consider exercising his authority under section 19 of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act. Such section reads as follows:— A notification of the name and occupation of any person who has been convicted of an offence against this Act together with his place or places of business, the nature of the ofience and the fine, forfeiture or other penalty inflicted , to be published by the chief health officer at the defendant’s expense. No doubt such a procedure would act as ' a deterrent to others similarly inclined to contravene the provisions of this important 1 Act.