§ Mr. SHEEHANasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether he is aware that, notwithstanding that the Department's schemes for improvement in the management of creameries have now been in operation for over seven years, and that there are over 800 creameries in the country, not more than 42 creameries sent butter to the last surprise competition; whether he has any official information showing that this is due to the dissatisfaction on the part of the Creamery Managers' Association with the manner in which appointments have been made to the position of creamery instructor, as well as other portions of the Department's schemes in regard to which the Department have refused to receive a deputation from the Creamery Managers' Association; and, in view of this comparative failure on the part of the Department's schemes for the improvement of the industry, what steps he intends to take in the matter?
The VICE-PRESIDENT of the DEPARTMENT of AGRICULTURE (IRELAND) (Mr. T. W. Russell)Three hundred and forty-six creameries and auxiliaries were entered on the Department's list for 1909 of creameries and auxiliaries to be visited by their instructors in dairying. Out of this number only 92 were eligible for inclusion in the Department's surprise butter competitions. The first competiton for the current year was held by the Department on 31st March last, and 42 creameres sent exhibits. With regard to the remaining creameries which were eligible to compete, some had not started work on that date, some had but a small supply of milk, and the managers of others were induced by an association of creamery managers to take part in the boycott referred to in my previous answer to another question of the hon. Member's. The Department do not propose to take any action in the matter.