L—l2a.

52

[J. BURGESS;

22. Hon. Mr. McNab.] You were under the impression when giving your evidence that if not made of concrete the flooring had to be paved. Is that not a slight misunderstanding? —I was under the impression a yard had to be paved. 23. With the modifications you suggest you think the regulations would be workable? —Yes. 24. Supposing that, in connection with the structural alterations—the distance from the shed of dwellinghouse or stable —we were to make it a condition of the regulations that the distances apart were only to apply to new buildings, would not that relieve a little of the soreness in regard to the regulations?— Most decidedly. 25. You spoke of my remarks at Palmerston : you understood I intended the regulations to be tentative before being put finally into operation?— Quite so. 26. I will just quote in connection with this a statement I made in reply to a deputation in regard to the dairy regulations: " The representations of the deputation would be carefully considered, and the regulations, when they were issued, would be for trial for one season, after which they would be finally reviewed. He promised that before extreme action was taken under the regulations he would look into the circumstances himself, so as to be fully acquainted with the facts." Was not that the idea conveyed to the meeting by myself?— Most of us thought that at least two years would be given before much would be enforced. 27. I spoke of that when addressing the meeting. You are satisfied that regulations for the dairy-factory suppliers of the Dominion are required? —Yes, I am quite satisfied. It will be the best thing that could happen for the industry if working regulations could be enforced. 28. Mr. Hogg.] You think some of the regulations are somewhat stringent?—l think so. If enforced they would haev the effect of making people give up milking. Very often farmers, especially the smaller one, are inclined to be a little combative. If some of the regulations were forced on them straight away, the effect would be that they would milk no more. 29. If the Inspector tried to make the farmer comply with them he would get a very rough time? —Quite so. 30. I presume from what you have stated that you believe the regulations on the whole would bring about a great improvement? —I do. 31. Are they reasonable in this way : that they explain the model of what a dairy-farm should be ?—Yes. 32. Something to work up to?— Yes. 33. But I suppose you would give the Inspector very full discretionary power?— Yes. But if passed as they are I would not like to give the Inspector , that discretionary power. I will admit there are good Inspectors, but they are not all built on the same lines. If wide discretion were allowed, then you would have verj- different results in different districts, according to the Inspector. 34. Do you think that in some cases it would be impossible to comph r with the regulations in regard to the distance between the buildings?—lt would be most difficult, "but to say " impossible " is rather wide of the mark : it would be impracticable. 35. Mr. Lang.] I understood from what you said that some dairymen would actually give up the business if the regulations were enforced as proposed?—l feel certain of it. If the regulations were fully enforced they would milk no more. 36. And you understood from the Minister that it would be one or two years before they would be enforced I —Yes. 37. If the regulations were adopted there is no guarantee that they would not be enforced? —No. 38. The dairyman would be liable, there only being the statement of a certain person that he does not intend to enforce them ?—Yes, that is exactly the point. 39. You speak about the Inspectors not being built on the same lines—having differences of opinion. Do you not think it would be wise to have right of appeal from the decision of the Inspector?— Most decidedly. That is one point wanted for a long time. _ 40. You see in Regulation 33 there is right of appeal—appeal to the Chief Inspector of Stock ; but that it only applies to the three cases ?—I do not think that the majority of farmers would have much confidence in that. I would prefer an Appeal Court. 41. Do you not think it would be more satisfactory if the Court was representative of both sides—one person to represent the farmer and one the Inspector?— That, in my opinion, would give dairymen very great confidence in the Court. 42. Mr. Okey.] You have been chairman of a dairy-factory for some time: what instruction is generally given the factory-manager as to sending back inferior milk? —Personally, every fresh manager we get we tell him it is his first duty to look after the chairman's milk and send it back, then the directors', and then the suppliers'. Whether this is always done lam not in a position to say. It is done with us. 43. Mr. Witty.] Would he not get sacked? —No. I had my own milk sent back once. 44. Mr. Okey.] Is it a general thing in the district for a supplier to take his milk to another factory when it has been refused at his own ?—Yes, in some cases ; not in my district, ft happens where factories are competing against each other. I have actually known of a case of a manager being instructed not to be particular about the milk, in case it might be taken to the other company. Anous John MoCurdt, Secretary of the Dairymen's Union of Employers, Upper Hutt examined (No. 19.) Witness: I may say I only received a copy of the proposed regulations from the Stock Office this morning, consequently I am somewhat at a loss to deal with the matter, as I have not had an opportunity of consulting my union. We have had a number of abstracts published in the news papers, and at a meeting held yesterday week certain instructions were given to me, to attend here