MILK CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2795, 13 June 1916, Page 6

MILK CONTROL

THE NEW BY-LAW

MILKMEN STATE THEIR CASE

A deputation of a dozen members of tho Milk Vendors Employees' Union waited on tho Public Health Committee of tho City Council yesterday afternoon, lor the purpose of protesting against certain clauses of the new Milk Control Bylaw, which they understood held them equally liable with their employers for the delivery of adulterated milk. Mr. J. Head (secretary of the union) said that as he read them, Sub-clause 5 of Clause 13 and Clause 15 implied that tho employees were liable to be penalised for the sale of adulterated milk, and he quoted the clauses mentioned, saying, in support of his contention, that" it was not a fair thing for the employee to be penalised, because if an employee did refuse to deliver the stuff, no matter whether it was half water, he would «imp!y lose his job. • The chairman (Councillor J. Godber) said that they wero misreading the clause, wluch provided that-it would have to he proved that the employee knew that the milk he was delivering was adulterated. Mr. Read said that in that case provision might be made for employees to notify the inspectors that the milk was not so pure -is it might be. It would be a good idea if he was able to ring up on a public telephone, and give such information to the inspectors, though they worked their rounds at an unearthly hour, between 3 and 6 o'clock in tho morning. He thought it would be a good idea if when the cans were filled they were locked, and that the milk could be drawn from a tap. He also suggested that packages of cream should be sealed. Tho chairman said~that steps had been taken on advice received from the City Solicitor, and were practically the same as those set out in the Pure Food and Drugs Act, but they applied to. milk and cream. 'I hey had found that whenever a vendor was prosecuted for selling adulterated milk, he sheltered behind the farmer, by saying that he sold the milk as he received it. Still lie was fined.as tile responsible party, but they were not willing to place any embargo on the employees.

I know of one case," said Councillor Godber, "where an employee was delivering milk at one place, and used a tap he went out to make up the quantity." Sir. Bead: We have no sympathy with such men.

il i l ', Zflr of the deputation) said that ho was not at all satisfied with things as they were at present. Could the committee inform him liow many samples had been taken from the carts during tho past nine months? l'he chairman: No, but we'll be able to tell you how many-samples are taken in tho next nine months. Up till the present we haven't the inspectors aind the power to take samples. Mr. Tozer: AVill the council give us facilities to see the iuspcctor trom 3 o'clock in the morning? . Tho .chairman: Yes, certainly. The inspectors' hours won't be just from 8 till fi,. [ promise you. Mr. Head: The law is of no use without proper inspection. ; ■ Mr. Tozer: Employers sliould not be allowed to break down cream—they should havo to seal it down. .

Mr. Bead; We quite recognise tho good of having the by-law, but, personally,.! don't know that, it is fair. to penalise an employee when lw knows the milk has been tampered with. might seo tho employer-putting water in when lie gets his milk for the found, .but' if he refused to take it out'that.man would Jose his job. Under the Arbitration Act that man. could be made to do the work.

Councillor I'itzgernld.: Haven't you got an association?

Mr. Bead: Yes, but the Arbitration Act sees that a man' doesi his work. Councillor Wright: Not when it's an illegal act.

The chairman: Not for refusing to take round milk and water.

Mr. Head said that there was another method in Sydney. "AVhen the milk came in to a vendor's headquarters it -was poured into a vat, and samples of it were taken when tho milk, was being drawri of? for the men, and the vendors sent out their own inspectors to take samples from the men to seo how they compared with those taken from the vat. The chairman promised that the views of the deputation would havo fitir and full consideration.