MR. J. W. BRITTLEBANK'S PAPER 203 



to ensure a sufficient supply of pure milk for the use 

 of children, but even this would be extremely difficult 

 to carry out, because, after all, parents are free agents, 

 and a very large number are compelled to buy in the 

 cheapest market. I therefore favour general measures 

 applicable to all concerned. 



The question which then arises is concerning 

 legislation on the subject. The powers with which 

 such work can be carried out at present are (i) the 

 Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops Order, and (2) 

 the Public Health Act. 



There has been for some time a considerable 

 demand for a new Milk Bill, and the proposed Bills 

 which I have seen are admirable enough in themselves, 

 but in my humble opinion the existent Dairies, 

 Cowsheds, and Milkshops Order with a little amend- 

 ment would be a most admirable piece of legislative 

 work. Unfortunately this Order is not compulsory, 

 and even where adopted has not been carried out. 

 I believe that if this Order were made compulsory 

 and placed in the hands of the large authorities such 

 as the County Councils, to administer, an enormous 

 amount of good would result. It is not to be wondered 



o 



at that to a very large extent the carrying out of the 

 Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops Order has been 

 a dead letter. Placed in the hands of the small local 

 authorities to administer, it was not to be supposed 

 that the elected representatives would have any violent 

 desire to be particularly harsh on themselves. 



In another sense the present situation is grossly 

 unfair : in the large centres of population, most of 

 which have farms situated in their areas, this Order is 

 administered more or less thoroughly ; often enough 

 just outside the boundaries no notice at all is taken of 

 it, and yet the farmers of both districts have to compete 

 on an equality for trade, as there is nothing to show 

 that the milk sold by one man is produced under 

 proper conditions, whilst the individual from the 



