HARASSED FARMERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 12, 5 April 1927, Page 9

HARASSED FARMERS

MILK FOR WELLINGTON RIGOROUS BY-LAWS (From Our Resident Correspondent. ) WELLINGTON, To-day. Speaking at a deputation to Mr. Coates this morning on behalf 01 suburban farmers, Mr. Purchase said he learned that the City council had drafted a bill for submission to Parliament next session requiring suburban farmers to test all cows monthly. Hon. O. J. Huwken, Minister of Agriculture: What test? Mr. Purchase: For tuberculosis. j >r. Keakes, Director of Agriculture: You could not do this once a month. Mr. Purchase: The City Council will make itself too ridiculous. Hr. Reakes: A monthly test would be ineffective. Tile methods of the City council were described by members of the deputation us ‘back-door methods,” one farmer likening the council to an octopus which was gradually embracing the farmers with its tentacles. These farmers had to compete against the council in the milk market, and it was desired that the restraining hand should be placed upon the by-laws which were continually being made. Mr. Hawken said the by-laws had been passed by the Health Department. It remained to be proved that the City Council would he harsh although by-law harshness was possible. Mr. Purchase: The council is always harsh. , . ...... Mr Coates: I understand that the point is whether the spirit of the legislation has been entered into. Mr. Purchase: That is so. Mr. Coates: Well, we will go into that. I agree that this is not the time to harass anybody, but on tbe contrary to make things as easy as possible. But heed not get downhearted about it. We will do our best to see that a fair tiling is done.