§ 38. Captain SHEEHANasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that the Cork Butter Market Trustees have only one representative on the Irish Export Committee and not two, as stated; whether, seeing that these trustees represent such a large portion of the butler trade and govern the largest market in Ireland, he will give them further representation; whether he is aware that on the 15th January resolutions were passed at a representative meeting of Cork butter merchants and exporters demanding that all grading should be carried out in Ireland, especially for the dairy butter, as almost the entire volume of this trade is confined to a few centres, the vast bulk being produced in the South of Ireland, pointing out that every facility exists in Cork for this being done at minimum expense, recommending that a small staff of inspectors be appointed to reside in Cork, who could at frequent intervals carry out their duty of grading, and that experts in creamery 903 butter and experts in dairy butter should be selected separately for the grading of each class; and, in view of this and similar resolutions, will he say why the grading of Irish butter should be done in England, especially as it appears the English representatives of the trade were quite willing that the grading should be done in Ireland; and, having regard to all the facts, will he take steps to have the present arrangement cancelled, so that the demand of the Cork Butter Market Trustees may be acceded to?
§ Mr. DUKEI am making inquiries as to the first part of the question. The Irish Butter Committee was not appointed by the Department of Agriculture. I believe resolutions such as those referred to have been passed, but the matter must, I think, be settled by the various sections of the butter trade, who appointed the Committee at a General Conference