A LEGISLATIVE ADVANCE 25 



of the comparative freedom of our home stock from disease, and 

 of a largely increased importation of dead meat." 



A form of petition was drawn up and circulated to Local 

 Chambers before the year closed, urging Parliament to pass 

 the recommendations of the Select Committee into law. On 

 13th December a deputation presented a memorial to the 

 Duke of Richmond, praying for immediate legislation, the 

 speakers on this occasion being Mr. Pickering Phipps, M.P., 

 Mr. St. John Ackers, Mr. W. Strattoii, and Mr. Duckham. 

 The reply of the Lord President was very satisfactory. He 

 acknowledged the identity of the interests of producers and 

 consumers in preventing the destruction of meat as a result 

 of disease, and promised immediate legislation. 



1878. 



The Government introduced their Bill early in the Session 

 of this year, but it did not get its second reading until 1st July. 

 The measure was carefully considered at the March and April 

 meetings, and some amendments were put forward ; but, 

 owing to the delay in proceeding with the Bill, the Council 

 were unable to meet while it was in Committee, and amend- 

 ments put forward by urban members of Parliament were 

 accepted by the Government without the agriculturists having 

 any voice in the matter. These amendments were considered 

 by the Council as greatly reducing the value of the measure, 

 especially the provision which gave the right to the Privy 

 Council to admit foreign live stock under certain conditions. 

 The Bill, which consolidated previous Acts, received the 

 Royal Assent, and proved to be a great advance on previous 

 enactments. It was this measure which empowered local 

 authorities to adopt Orders dealing with Dairies, Cowsheds, 

 and Milkshops. 



1879. 



In consequence of an outbreak of Pleuro -Pneumonia among 

 cattle a memorial to the Privy Council was agreed upon, 

 praying the Government to exercise their powers under the 

 new Act, and this request was promptly complied with. 



