DAIRY INSPECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 3, 28 January 1909, Page 4

DAIRY INSPECTION.

THE CHANCE OF FRONT. INVITED AND ABUSED. Anyone, who has taken an inlerest in the dairying industry and followed its progress of recent years will lie well aware (says the New Zealand Times) that the common opinion of men concerned therein—whatever the phase of activity—was that its great need was an improved milk supply. Dairy inspection was .repeatedly asked for by representative gatherings of dairymen. Now we have with an equal unanimity protests against the inspection since it has been introduced, or rather against the regulations framed in connection with it. We know that the trouble was caused by the regulations being taken to a Parliamentary Committee for approval, and farmers—naturally the men with a grievance—being invited to express their opinions on them, and this at a time when they offered excellent material for political capital. Had the regulations been quietly gazetted nothing would have been heard in opposition to them. Trouble was invited, and it came. What we here desire to draw attention to is that the very men who, as representative dairymen, appealed for inspection and regulations, are, in too many cases, disclaiming all responsibility. They see that what they asked to be done is unpopular, am] would consequently throw nil the nuns of it on to the (ioverniiieiit. A GOOD REMINDER.

The secretary of the South Island National Dairy Association. Mr. .1. I!. Scott, who has warmly supported the (invcrnme.it in the matter all along, supplies from the minutes of his Association the resolution previously f ussed in regard to the matter. Mr. Scott states that all the resolutions were carried unanimously after careful discussion. In fact, it was a burning question. One of the resolutions, it will be seen, advocates the " obnoxious cow tax." Following are the resolutions:

Duneilin, June 7lh, 1005.—That the inspection of milk and milking yards supplying dairy factories should at once be put under the control of the Dairy Department, and qualified men appointed to instruct milk-suppliers and inspect milk, milking yards, and sheds. Invemirgili. 'February sth, ]'.)(](>.—Tnis meeting is of the same opinion as heretofore—that* dairy inspection should be under the control of the Dairy Commissioner—and is willing that a tax of up to Is per head should be levied on all herds of cows, provided the Govcrnmeiit subsidises £1 for £1 towards the expense. N.B.—Afterwards confirmed at conference Lvttelton and Christchurch on March 2nd, 1000. ' Duneilin, June 7ln, 1000.—That the inspection of milk and milking yards supplying dairy factories should at- once be put under the control of the Dairy Department, and that qualified men lie appointed to instruct milk-suppliers and to inspect milk yards and sheds. Dunedin, June sth, 1007—That all persons supplying milk to factories ocreanicries should bo .egistered, and that the Government should appoint qualified men to inspect the premises and instruct dairymen in the best methods for producing good clean milk, and that combined with -this the Government should establish milk-testing stations, to which farmers could send samples of milk from individual cows to be tested, so that they may lie in a position to weed out and improve their herds.— N.B.—This was passed after Mr. Clifton and Mr. Cuddie had "clearly outlined what they were prepared to advise the Government to do."

Invereargill, January 31st, I!>oH. That it lie a recommendation to the Jlin- ! istcr for Agriculture to include instruc. tion in the cooling or milk in the dairy inspector's duties, anil that these inspectors anil instructors should assist and advise fanners as to the cheapest and best mode of such treatment of milk. Dunodrn, June 3rd, 1008.—Mr. Clifton Chief Inspector of Stock, at the invitn, tion of the National Dairy Association gave a most interesting address in regard to the working of the scheme hi his hands for the improvement of the milk supply and the dairy industry generally, which had Iwon initiated by ■the Government. .Mr. Clifton gave n concise account of the new regulations foi" the working of this scheme. Mr. Clifton answered questions and detailed "the working of the proposed scheme; and the chairman, in moving a cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Clifton, which was carried with enthusiasm, said that the subject matter of Mr. Clifton's address Hind been exercising the minds of the dairy-farmers and factory managers for many years, lie believed it to be their duty to assist the Department. If obstacles were thrown in the way, no good could come of it. lie only hoped Mr. Clifton and his staff would use the fcairie judgment and tact as they hail done with the Rabbit Department, since ii's came under his charge. Mr. (.Tilton clearly showed he was anxious to ltflp fa.tniers in every way possible."'