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31
It would be difficult to find a more unsuitable place for storing or mixing
milk, as now largely obtains, than a railway platform. Uncovered churns of
milk are frequently seen standing at these places for hours at a time, in some
cases for six hours. Under such conditions the contents are exposed to all
the various contaminations present in the dust of a large city. Here the
milk is treated with a “rouser," which has often been allowed to stand on the
dirty platform, and the mixing is conducted by the operator, can in hand,
plunging his naked arm in the churn and abstracting the requisite amount
and transferring it to another vessel, the measure used being also placed, at
intervals, on the ground. The whole process of mixing is conducted under
most unsuitable surroundings, and should be prohibited.
Further, it absolutely destroys the value of a warranty which can nevertheless
be successfully used as a defence to any prosecution for adulteration.
As the railway companies do a very large business as milk carriers, they
might very fairly be expected to provide suitable accommodation at the
stations, where milk can be handled under proper hygienic conditions.
The London County Council (General Powers) Bill of 1908, conferred
upon Local Authorities in the metropolis certain powers with regard to
removing from the register or to refuse to register the names of dairymen or
purveyors of milk whose premises are unsuitable for the sale of milk thereon.
This is a most useful provision, it being evident that even if the strictest
precautionary measures are taken in furtherance of securing milk from
contamination, both on the farm and in transit to town, they will be useless
unless steps are taken for ensuring that it is stored and vended under sanitary
supervision.
The London County Council are again (1909) seeking legislative powers
to take samples of milk at railway stations in the metropolis, with a view to
prevent the distribution of dirty milk. This is a doubtful method of dealing
with the question. It is obvious that it would be far better to eliminate any
risk of danger at the source of supply, than to adopt expedients for control
after the milk has left the farm.
Piecemeal legislation of this kind is not, and never will be, effective, and the
only satisfactory way of dealing with the question is for the Government to
proceed at once with the promised general measure, which should repeal all
former legislation in respect to milk regulation, and consolidate existing
statutes into one comprehensive measure dealing with the whole subject.
The control of milk supplies is especially a matter that should be under the
supreme authority of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, whose business it
should be to see that the Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops Orders are effectively
carried out by those responsible for their administration.