43

L—l2a.

F. W. BEECHEY.]

11. Is it usual? —It may not be usual, but it is done. You have proprietary factories. A man can go from the co-operative factory to the proprietary factory if he pays the penalty to hits own factory. 12. it is not a usual thing in Taranaki. You are going by hearsay J —ln some parts it is. 13. I would like to get more evidence on this point. You have made the statement about milk being refused at one factory being taken in at another? —Not at the present time. 1 could send you an instance. 14. It is hearsay? —Some of it. 15. You cannot say it is a fact? —1 can say it is a iact. I cannot instance a case at present. 16. Hon. Mr. McNab.\ It is a matter of notoriety that in some parts of New Zealand it is mi iied on to an extreme —the taking in of milk at one factory that has been refused at another ? —Yes, it is a fact. 17. It is well known? —Yes. IS. Instead of a regulation prohibiting this, as you suggest, would it not be better to raise the standard of milk amongst the bad suppliers to such an extent that a factory-manager would never have occasion to reject it at the receiving stage?—lf it is possible, that is all right. 19. Do you not think it is possible by looking after the men who are negligent in their work? —We do not cavil at general inspection. It is those clauses which are drastic that I object to. It would hardly be a fair thing to go to my neighbour and say you must do certain things while 1 may be left alone, because I am sending in good milk. 20. Some form of inspection would be a good thing for the industry?— Yes 21. Coming to the kind of inspection. 1 take it from what you have said that one of your objections was that a lot of alterations would have to be made in present conditions. If the regulations provided that where men had sheds and yards erected, and providing they kept them clean", that the requirements about distance apart would only apply in the case of new sheds and yards. Would not that remove a considerable proportion of your objections? —Yes, in a general way. 1 think when a man is in a position to build he will build for comfort and convenience. 32. But when it comes to building new sheds and yards it would not be harsh to compel a man to put his shed, if it could be done, so-many feet away from the dwellinghouse and stable?— No. 33. So there is a certain amount of control which could be wisely exercised in that direction? — Yes. 34. You admit that if there is a man supplying dirty milk that it must injure suppliers like yourself, who go to some trouble? —Yes, naturally. 35. Then, it really comes to a question of opinion as to the best method to adopt?— Yes; in different districts where the conditions are so widely different. 36. You are prepared to say that good regulations wisely administered would be of great value to the industry ?—I am prepared to say it will help the industry. 37. Mr. You consider the regulations are somewhat drastic? —Yes; taken as a whole in particular districts. 38. Do you think there would be a great deal of difficulty experienced in trying to enforce them at once?— Yes, in cases you would want an Inspector on every farm, and he would get a case every day. 39. So many of the farmers being unable to comply even if they wished to carry out improvements? —I venture to say they could not. They would have to sell their herds, especially with men of ten to twenty dairy cows —they have not the means. 40. Do you think it fair to expect a farmer to put down concrete floors if he manages to keep them clean without concrete—that is, where they have good hard ground ?—With some floors it is necessary to have concrete. A man cannot keep a clay floor clean. 41. Have you seen the race system tried instead of having yards leading to the bails? —Leading from the holding yard to the byre? No, I have not. ■ 42. With reference to the position of the managers. 1 suppose they are nearly all co-opera-tive factories you have in your district?—-We have only the one. It' is co-operative. 43. Then, you have two kinds of manager. The factory-manager and the creamery-manager? —Yes. 44. Can these men exercise their judgment freely with regard to rejecting bad milk?— Yes. 45. Notwithstanding the fact that they are under so many employers?— Yes; they exercise their judgment. We expect them to only take the best of stuff and manufacture the best article. 46. When milk is rejected is not the manager placed in a very unfortunate position?—l do not think he is, if he has a board of directors with backbone. 47. A supplier cannot make it hot for him to the directors?—ln such a case the supplier has to make a statement in writing and back it up. 48. In cases like that, when you have found complaints made, have you found the manager to be supported ?—Yes, always. 49. Then, I presume the regulations would be all right if not rigidly enforced?—lf simply enforced by degrees, as old places have to be renewed?— Yes. 50. You think the regulations would be a great advantage if enforced in this way?— Yes; provided the man has saved sufficient. 51. The dairyman should have time given him and reasonable opportunities given him before he is compelled to erect new premises?— Yes. 52. Mr. Macpherson.] Do you consider that the fees proposed to be charged would be a tax on the supplier?—No, Ido not think so. If you are going to benefit tho consumer and the Dominion as a whole, I do not see why the Dairy Inspector should not be classed with the Stock Inspector. 53. There should be no charge?— Yes.