SALE OF MILK REGULATIONS 301 



thus differing from both the Departmental Committee and 

 the Chamber. The Regulations also prescribed that skimmed 

 or separated milk (not being condensed milk) must not con- 

 tain less than 9 per cent, of milk solids. These prescribed 

 limits are what are commonly, but erroneously, called '' the 

 Milk Standard." 



On 1st and 29th May, 1906, these Milk Regulations were 

 criticised somewhat severely, as it had been found that 

 farmers were being prosecuted, and sometimes convicted, of 

 selling adulterated milk, though, as a matter of fact, the 

 conviction was not infrequently due either to prejudice on 

 the part of the magistrate's clerk or to the inability of the 

 bench of magistrates to understand the regulations. The 

 Board was now asked to amend their Order, by providing 

 for " an appeal to the cow " whenever a sample of milk was 

 found to be below the 3 per cent, limit, but the Board replied 

 that the}' had no power to alter the regulations in the manner 

 suggested. On the following 12th December a deputation 

 waited upon Sir Edward Strachey to urge upon the Board 

 the desirability of their obtaining powers to alter their 

 regulations in the direction indicated. Sir Edward, while 

 quite appreciating the unhapp}^ position of the milk producer, 

 pointed out the danger that might be incurred in this appeal 

 to the cow, and suggested that the Chambers should consider 

 whether the safer remedy would not be to determine that 

 responsibility for the condition of milk should cease when 

 it left the owner's control. 



This suggestion of Sir Edward Strachey 's was duly taken 

 into consideration by the Council, and after full discussion 

 it was unanimously agreed that the liability of consignors of 

 milk should cease when the milk reached the consignee's 

 hands, which means (in the case of delivery by road) on 

 arrival at consignee's premises, and (in the case of delivery 

 by rail) on arrival at the station to which it is consigned. 

 This point has frequently been put forward since, but has 

 not yet (in 1914) become law, and the farmer is still liable 

 to conviction for fraud, if it is found that his milk has been 

 manipulated even after it has passed out of his control. 



