The Reply.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXII, Issue 12429, 31 March 1908, Page 2

The Reply.

Wellington, Mnroh 18, 1908. Mr James Hodges, Kapanui, Wanganui. Dear Sir,— l bog to acknowledge receipt of your letter ot date 16th instant, forwarding the suggestions made at a meeting of dairymen to v.bich you were chairman, held on the :M;h instant. In connection with the recommendations which you have forwarded, I think it will be found when the regulations come to be printed, that a considerable number of them have been met. The objections which dairymen have always experienced and have always felt towards the regulations which give unlimited power in some directions to the inspector have been very carefully considered and the regulations in that direction revised. A number of regulations, however, are almost reprints of the Bection of the Act, and to that extent it is impossible to modify the provisions of the Act by regulations. It ,'c my intention, however, not to increase any nore than can possibly be helped the occasions where the inspector is empowered to say, without appeal, what can hi- done. I hope also to give a modifled, power of appeal to the objecting dairymen where the inspector is considered to be using his powers arbitrarily. This, I hope, will in the meantime meet the objections raised. I would also like it to be known amongst all dairymen that the regulations which are now on the eve of being circulated are intended only to be tentative, and will be subject to revision after the experience of one season's operation has been obtained. The question of apportioning the cost of substantial improvements put upon leasehold property "by the tenant will, I hope, be dealt with by legislation this coming year. Meantime in enforcing the regulations inspectors will be expected to keep in mind the position which their instructions will create in the case of short-dated, leases. I am pleased that the dairymen of your district took the opportunity of communicating 1 with me on the subject matter of these regulations. They have been drawn with special care and with a knowledge of the operation of the inspection in connection with towns. It is the desire of the Department, however, that they should be -as reasonable as possible, while at the same time accomplishing the) end in view, the cleanliness of the dairy and purity of \ the milk. \ If .at any time the dairymen in your district desire to communicate with the Department regarding their operation, I would be only too hsjppy to receive and personally attend to any such communication. Probably the dairymen of your district would find that it might assist their operations materially to form an Association of a permanent nature to watch their interests. X McNAB.