THE DAIRY INDUSTRY ACT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXV, Issue 1976, 1 March 1893, Page 5

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY ACT.

The Dai »-y Industry Act of last session, which comes into operation to-day, is a rather important measure, containing several rery stringent clauses and heavy penalties. The interpretation clause comprises no Jess than thirteen definitions of dairy articles coming within its provisions. There are included provisions for offences outside the dairy industry proper. The following are tbe main features of the Act : — The Governor appoints and removes Inspectors aud other officers as he shall deem necessary for the administration of tlie Act, By section 4 every Inspector has the same power and authority as Inspectors under "The Adulteration Prevention Act of 1880." Section 5 makes it compulsory on every owner of a dairy factory or creamery at which cither cheese or butter or both are manufactured for export, to havo a trademark duly registered under " The Patent Designs and Trademarks Act, 1889," with whJchthe butter or cheese he produces for export shall be branded, tho penalty for refusal or neglect being a fine not exceeding £5 for each article not so marked. Section 6 provides that any person manufacturing 7501 b weight of pure milk per day may receive a certificate from an Inspector that such premises are suitable for dairying purposes aud properly conducted, and this entitles snen person to call his place a " factory " or "creamery." The I ispector's certificate may bo suspended or cancelled. Every person exporting butter or cheese shall mark ib with the words " New Zealand Dairy," " New Zealand Creamery," and on pats of butter the letters " N.Z." may be used for the woras "New Zealand." Each kog, box, or package shall disclose the " true and exacb nature and description" of its contents. Every person who exports or causes or procures or offers to export any of the articles required under this section to be so stamped or marked, aud which are not so marked, is liable to a penalty not exceeding £100^nor less than £5, By section Bno person shall sell milk takon from a coy infected with any disease defined iv the Stock Act of 1891. Auy breach of this clause makes the offender liable to a fine of £10 and nob less than £2. The person on whose -behalf such milk is sold is primafucie liable, The Inspeotor may take samples of any milk for aualysis. Refusal to give him a sample of the milk eutails a liability of £5 and not less than £2 for each offence. The Inspector may require owners of cows to have :hcir milk tested. Obstructing the Inspector eutails a liability to a fine of £5.