DAIRY INDUSTRY LEGISLATION.

Shannon News, 17 October 1922, Page 4

DAIRY INDUSTRY LEGISLATION.

PROTECTION FOR SUPPLIERS

Wellington, Otcober 10.

The new Dairy Industry Act provides that details of the overrun and a certificated statement under the hand of a registered accountant must be given to suppliers not, later than two months alter- the close of each financial year showing the following details:—

1. Weight of butter (correct to four places of decimals) made from each pound of butterl'at used for the manufacture ftf butter.

2. Percentage which the weight of unsalted butter manufactured bears to the total weight of butter manufactured.

3. Weight of cheese (correct to two places of decimals) made from each pound of butterl'at used for the manufacture of cheese. INVESTIGATION OF ACCOUNTS. Within six months of the receipt of the statement, any supplier may apply through the Minister of Agriculture for an independent investigation of the correctness of the returns. The Minister .will then direct an officer of the Audit Department -to make an audit, when all facilities must be furnished by the dairy factory proprietors'. The auditor may examine any factory owner (or employees on oath regarding the audit, and any person refusing to answer any request, or comply with an officer’s lawful demands, is liable to a fine not exceeding £SO. . The cost of the audit shall be borne by the person making the application, excepting that in a case where the investigation discloses an error of more than one-half per cent in the statement regarding the weight of butter and cheese made from each lb of butt-erf at, the audit fee shall be recoverable from the factory owner.

SCOPE OF ACT EXTENDED

Power is given to make regulations

1. Regulating the sampling, testing and weighing of milk or cream purchased by owners of dairy factories. 2. Prescribing that records are to be kept or returns to be furnished by owners of dairy factories. 3. Prescribing the powers and duties of inspectors.

An additional clause is added to the penal clauses of the principal Act, providing/ that a penalty shall be imposed onl any person who sends to the grading at ore for the purpose of being graded, any cheese of which the Water free substance consists of less than 50 per cent of fats wholly derived from milk, or who exports, or attempts to export, such cheese.