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termination of the war, but its operation was postponed by the Milk and
Dairies (Amendment) Act, 1922, Section 1.
The Act gives effect to the universally expressed movement of public
opinion in favour of a wholesome milk supply and it should be noted that
during the ten years since the Act was passed there has been a steadily
growing improvement in the methods of milking, milk storage, handling
and delivery. Within the milk trade itself it has been recognised that
there are advantages in the production of a cleaner and more wholesome
milk, and efforts have not been spared towards this end.
The chief features of this statute are directed towards maintaining
a high sanitary standard in cowsheds, dairies, milk stores, methods
of transit and distribution. It aims at requiring that both the individuals
who are engaged in the milk trade and the cows shall be clean and healthy.
The milk itself shall be kept clean and free from infection from the time
it leaves the cow until it reaches the consumer. The varieties of milk
shall be kept clearly defined and described for the guidance of purchasers
and this will apply also to milk products. No additions, or abstractions,
will be permitted unless under strict regulation.
An important provision of this measure is the authority given to the
Minister to make orders which when they come into force will amplify
and supersede the Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops Order, 1885-99.
Among the orders which are to be made under this Act is one dealing
with the registration of dairy premises. This will be an important advance,
as at the present time only the dairyman requires to be registered.
Other orders will deal with such important features of the milk industry
as inspection of persons engaged in handling milk, the conveyance and
distribution of milk, labelling and sealing of churns, and many other
matters.
The Act also contains sections dealing with the prevention of tuberculosis
similar to those of the London County Council General Powers Act,
1907, which, after one year, it will supersede. Under Section 8 a sample
of milk may be taken at any time before it is delivered to the customer.
Formerly a sample could be taken in course of delivery but only at the
place of delivery. Under Section 9 the warranty defence cannot be
pleaded when the sample is taken from mixed milks from more than
one consignor. A warranty may hold good only if the purveyor has
requested within sixty hours a sample to be taken by the sanitary authority
from the consignor. This sample must be from a corresponding
milking. If the sanitary authority do not accede to the purveyor's
request to take a sample from his consignor they cannot take proceedings
against the former. There is an important definition of "dairy"; it
does not include a shop from which milk is not supplied otherwise than