A. J. MCCURDY.]

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70. You know of a man who was milking in the open and was called upon to put up a shed? —Yes, but he has not done it yet. 71. Rust: You are of opinion that as long as the inside of the can is free from rust it is fit for use?— Yes. 72. In regard to the vehicle. Ido not know whether that affects people near the towns, but in many cases the dairyman has only one vehicle, and under the regulations he could not take a dressed pig to the bacon-factory in the same cart he carts his milk in. Do you not think that very irksome?—We have not discussed that. We object to the word " animal ": it should be " deleterious." 73. Would it not meet the case if the Inspector had power to insist that the cart should be thoroughly clean while it was conveying milk ?—I do not care about that. 74. Mr. Buddo.] You represent a dairy association at the Upper Hutt? —Yes. 75. Is your association in favour of a system of inspection?—We consider it is necessary. 76. Do you object to the fee as proposed?—We think a nominal fee would be sufficient —ss. 77. Irrespective of size of dairy?— Yes. 78. You would not consider that a man who has a hundred cows would require more frequent inspection than a man with five? —The man with a hundred is usually a man with experience, and is not likely to do anything to damage his business. 79. It is more the individual you look to?— Yes. We can only speak of our own district. 80. Have you any objection to the alternative proposal of a yard or a race?— One of our members objects altogether to the race, but he is not very clear about the regulations. 81. You are aware that if you have a 30 ft. concrete race you do not require a yard at all. Would you consider that a hardship on the dairyman to put down 30 ft. of concrete to allow a cow to pass along?— Personally I do not, but I cannot give evidence on behalf of the union on the point. 82. Would you give us your personal opinion of the race. It has been stated that a race 30 ft. long and 6 ft. wide can be put down for £& where shingle can be readily obtained. Do you consider that a hardship where many races are now in? —No. 83. Speaking of the district you represent, do you consider any considerable number of farmers would have to make any alteration at all?— Our men are practically complying with the present regulations. 84. After reading the regulations do you consider that any dairyman at all will require to make any alteration at all in their dairy conveniences? —Very few, I should say. They have made no objection to them, except the personal statement I have made in regard to the difficulty where concrete was unobtainable. 85. Are you aware that there is no objection to wooden floors, tongued and grooved timber, where concrete is not obtainable? —No, we have not heard that. The Inspector has been complaining on account of that. 86. What about bricks?— The Inspector objected to them. 87. Can you give any expression of opinion how many would be affected in the Hutt district, inside and outside your association, in their expenditure on buildings and conveniences?— Very few. 88. Could you put it down at 5 per cent. ?—Not much more than that. 89. Do you think, if reasonable time was given these 5 per cent, to make the necessary alterations, it would be wise to delay the regulations on this account?— No. 90. There has been no expression of opinion antagonistic to the regulations except in regard to the question of time for doing certain work?— No. 91. Your objection is that sufficient time will not be given to dairymen?— Not in regard to the buildings. In regard to alterations the present Inspector has given time. 92. If some modification of the time referred tq was made, the regulations would not be harassing in their nature?—lf we could have the right to appeal. 93. Mr. Rutherford.] What do you do with your milk?— The bulk of it is sent to Wellington for the retail trade. 94. You do not retail it? —It goes to consumers in town. 95. Mr. Okey.~\ You have travelled about the country as much as any one, and you have experience of the general farmer's conveniences for milking: do you think they will be put to considerable expense in applying these regulations ?—The question comes in of loans to farmers. We think, as loans are made to workers, so they should be made to suppliers. We would like provision made, where farmers are so circumstanced that they cannot carry out the work owing to lack of funds, for the granting of loans to them. 96. Do you think it would take a considerable amount?—l know some places where it would be difficult for them to do so. 97. Would it not be an advantage if the Department had plans at its different district offices —plans which would comply with the regulations ? —We are promised those plans. We understood when we interviewed the Minister that plans would be supplied. i Chables Edward Major, M.P., examined. (No. 20.) Witnest: A number of dairy-farmers in the Hawera district have asked me to explain their views on the question at issue. Their chief concern is in reference to the administration of the regulations. I may say few sensible men take exception to the regulations themselves. No matter how the regulations may be drafted, some would find fault, rightly or wrongly, but the great majority will realise that the regulations are directly in the interests of the dairy-farmer. There has been a misconception in regard to the race. They were under the impression it was compulsory. They saw in the race a danger to cows crowding in. When first mooted, copies of the regulations were not available, and a number of alarming reports had reached the country districts.

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