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27
The making of such Regulations is one thing, but the strict enforcement of
them when made is the essential point. The condition of many of the milks
that arrive at City Railway termini indicates that there is much room for
improvement in that direction.
In dealing with this question two points are clear—
Firstly.—The urgent need for general legislation with regard to the
milk supply. This must deal with the question at the farm itself, and
must be the duty of the Local Authority.
No half-hearted measure giving the Metropolis, or any other district,
power to exclude infected or dirty milk is of any real service. If milk
from a particular source is excluded by order from one place, it will be
sent to another, either to be consumed therein, or possibly to be again
forwarded to the excluded area.
Secondly.—The Local Authority where the farm is situated alone can
effectively deal with the question.
If there is a difficulty in getting them to act in some cases by reason
of vested interests or other causes, there should be no difficulty in
devising a system whereby the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries would
act in case of default.
The enormous cost of an Authority, such as the London County
Council or the Corporation, sending its Medical Officer and Veterinary
Surgeon all over the country should alone be sufficient to condemn the
system. But there are still graver objections. An outside Authority
would act at a great disadvantage, and would meet with much opposition
in carrying out its investigations, while the fact that the work was being
done by a Central Authority would undoubtedly tend to diminish the
feeling of responsibility of the Local Authority, who would not unnaturally
be loth to spend time, money and energy on doing work which,
if left undone, would be taken up by others.
Any steps taken should be in the direction of increasing the responsibility
of Local Authorities, and of quickening them to a lively sense of
the same. The case of default can easily be dealt with, without in any
way imperilling the co-operation of these Authorities, who are ready and
willing to do their duty.
In view of the great importance of this question, I would suggest that
the Government be urged forthwith to promote general legislation with
regard to milk supply on the lines indicated in this and previous Reports.