PURE MILK.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 955, 24 October 1910, Page 10

PURE MILK.

BETTER CONTROL NEEDED. CHRISTCHURCH AGITATION. ißy Telceraph.—Press Association.! Chrisfohurch, October 22. As tho outcome of .yesterday's inquest, at which the . medical evidence showed that a young girl had died of abdominal tuberculosis, duo to drinking tubercular milk, the question of ensuring, a pure milk supply is receiving considerable attention. Dr. Symes, in an interview, states that the purity of the milk supplied in the city has deteriorated since the inspection had been divided between the Health, and Agricultural Departments, and ; he • alleges that about 20 per cent of the dairy cattle in the district are sulfering from tuberculosis, Tho Mayor (Mr. Allison), in an interview} stated that it had been urged that the City Council should take steps to bring'the matter before tho Government. The council took action in 1906, and had appointed a special committee which included Messrs. Alex. M'Pher-. son and L-bngton, of the Agricultural Department, and several prominent citizens. The committee held several meetings and showed the necessity of protecting the public from the dangers referred to by Dr. Syracs. ■ They found on going into tho question that it was necessary for tho Government to establish a milk district, something similar to an abattoir district, so. that the council could have a control over the* milk, similar to that' they . had over the meat. Tho committee were satisfied that-if the council had that control the public would be protected, and the dairy farmers would bo.able to get abetter and more.reliable,test for their milk than under [ the • present system, as a' great saving would ho effected by the subdivision of district's for ■ delivery purposes, i ■ At a meeting of the City Council held on October 1,1906, said Mr. Allison, the committee presented its 'report. In this it was'urged that unless milk districts were determined by the Government, it was impossible that • efficient control could bo given. Sufficient proof had beeiv given that the control of the milk supply was an exceedingly, inefficient one. It was furtlier absolutely necessary .that thorough inspection should be provided, both for cattle and milk buyers, and the methods adopted in' milking and delivery, and all this should be-under one control. The committee therefore, recommended that, the Government be urged ito'give the question of milk their earnest.considcration, and. pass such legislation as might be necessary to - enable the : Public Health Department to have complete and efficient control of production and distribution. Tho report was adopted by the council, and a copy of it sent to..'the Department under date of August 17, 1906. "A letter was received from the Agricultural Department to ;,the follow, ing effect:—. ' ',:;_'"■ , , "With reference to the recommendation -,contained in your letter of the 10th instant, I have the honour to inform you that the matter. of proclaiming,'milk districts,' in which the sale of milk may be rogulatedj has been considered,, butnt.is not intended to amend the Dairy Industry :'Aot in this direction' at propent., In all;probability_tTie general' registration. : ' or" all dairies' throughout the colony will lie institute ed shortly.". ' . V. The Council had done all they could, but; their efforts had been frustrated by the Department. ■' /■"■■