§ MR. BOLANDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the cost to the New Zealand Government of grading butter amounts, approximately, to only 1½d. per cwt; and whether, in view of the fact that since the institution of grading in that country the butter has attained a higher standard of value, which is represented by many shillings per cwt., and that the percentage of first-grade butter has risen in consequence from 93 per cent. in 1896 to 97.85 per cent. in 1906, he will state why the Irish Department of Agriculture do not take steps to institute a similar system in Ireland.
MR. BRYCEThe Department of Agriculture are not aware of the precise cost to the New Zealand Government of grading butter. They are, however, inclined to believe that the improvement 1520 in New Zealand butter is due to the adoption of modern methods of manufacture resulting from expert instruction in dairying, rather than to the system of grading. The Department do not consider that the system of grading suitable for New Zealand could be satisfactorily applied to Ireland, owing to the great difference between the conditions of trade in the two countries. Moreover, the Department have no legal power to enforce a system of grading.
§ MR. BOLANDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the figures quoted were given by the Under-Secretary for the Colonies last week? Does he consider that satisfactory?
MR. BRYCEI gather from the Answer that the Department of Agriculture do not think it makes any difference.
§ MR. BOLANDBut if the Department are not satisfied with the New Zealand figures, will they inquire as to those for Queensland?
MR. BRYCEIt is not a question of figures at all. It is a question of difference between the butters which makes the practice of New Zealand inapplicable to Ireland.