36

[W. FISHER.

L —12a.

25. Would you contradict a man who is representing a number of factories if he said that in practice they found that they could not apply that?— No. 26. If all the milk that went into a factory was equal in cleanliness to the 60 per cent, of the milk that was the best, do you not think it would materially improve the value of the product in London?— Well, I do not know. 27. You know Mr. Cuddie?—Yes. 28. What is your opinion of him? —A very high one. 29. If Mr. Cuddie declares that the faults in our dairy-produce on the London market to-day, from his own observations on the spot, are largely traceable to the defects in the production of milk and not the methods of manufacture, you would treat that with respect?-—Yes. Unfortunately, he was Home at the worst season. 30. If Mr. Cuddie says that a system of inspection which will eliminate the man who is sending in dirty milk to the factories will very materially raise the value of oui manufactures —if he says that, you think it is entitled to the greatest respect?— Yes. At the same time I do not think it would affect any of the supply in the Wairarapa. 31. That must be read as applying to factories outside the Wairarapa. Suppose we limit it to factories outside the Wairarapa, that would mean a substantial money improvement. If that is so, why should not those who get that increased money pay something for the cost of producing it? —Did Mr. Cuddie say it would get a better price? 32. Yes?— One thing I do know is that cheese produced in the autumn, which is better than spring cheese, brings a better price. 33. Then, you are challenging Mr. Cuddies opinion—that is, in regard to the Wairarapa? You spoke of subsection (c) of clause 8. Did you base your objection to the subsection on the ground of notices being circulated at the instance of an Inspector in the Wairarapa?—Yes. 34. You see he could not force you under these regulations to take up the floors? —He did. 35. But under these regulations he could not compel you to lift these floors. In giving your evidence were you not under the impression that if a man was milking a hundred cows he would have to have a yard capable of holding a hundred? If the regulation means that the yard must be sufficiently large for the cows put into it for the milking you might cram a hundred cows into a yard only capable of holding forty. It " must be sufficiently large to hold all the cows brought in at one time." Then, there is another meaning to it. That is the meaning, though you do not see it. The yard must be sufficiently large, and more cows must be crowded into it than the yard is capable of holding?—lf that is what it means it would be all right. 36. In regard to section 31, there are some of the things mentioned which should not be allowed to be carried? —Yes, unquestionably. 37. You speak of the powers of the Inspector under section 33. You will notice there are only three cases there where the Inspector can order things to be done. In regard to clause 8, subsection (c), you think the Inspector should not be allowed to compel the shed to be lime-washed more than twice a year?—We think it should be done in the winter or the beginning of the season. 38. In clause 14, subsections (b) and (c), (b) reads: "Where the milk is not immediately separated cool it by a method approved by the Inspector." Is it possible to specify a method of cooling that could apply to all cases. Might not that put an undue hardship on the dairyman?— We had to abandon cooling because we could not get a cooler which would not expose the milk to the dust, and after cooling the milk was worse. 39. What system of cooling do you adopt?—We put the can into cold running water or into a creek. We do not expose the milk to the air, because it catches the dust. 40. You have fixed a regulation of your own about cooling?— Yes, that is the regulation. Where it is possible the cans are put in a running creek. 41. Could you let the committee have a copy of that regulation. Have you any regulations written out?— No. 42. Could you write out any adopted by the factory?— Yes. ■ 43. You deal there with systems of cooling?— Yes: that is, cooling without exposing to the air. 44. It would not do to specify in all cases that it should be reduced to a given temperature? No. It should be as low as possible. 45. Mr. Lang.] I understood witness to object to the registration fee being too high, and also take up the position that it was a class tax —thnt dairy cows should not be taxed any more than any other stock of the farms?— Yes. 46. In reference to regulation 8, subsection (c). would you read it that the Inspector could not prevent a man putting down a wooden floor?—In our district no man would think of putting down a wooden floor. It is only where places have been down for some time, and are good thnt we obect to being interfered with. 47. Under the present regulations you have known cases where they had to pull up wooden floors and put down concrete?— Yes. 48. Would not this clause read as not being impervious to water?—A concrete floor, unless well put down, is not impervious to moisture. 49. In reference to regulation 30, do you not think this regulation would be a great hardship on a large number of dairymen in country districts—that is, where it states that any cow calf or other animal shall not be at large within 30ft. of a cowshed? Would it not mean that nil cowsheds would have to be fenced off? Are there any cases where farmers have sheds adjoining the roads, on a boundary-fence in a paddock?— Yes, certainly. 50. If this was brought in you would have to run a fence around it? Yes. 51. You think there should be an appeal board ?—Yes; in our opinion that would smooth matters more than anything else.