Captain ORMSBY-GO R Easked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the notice issued by the. Ministry of Food. L.S.P. 11, regarding the branding by Government graders on the thighs of stock belonging to farmers which are brought to market for sale and are not sold; by what right, and under what Act of Parliament, Government graders are entitled to make these brands upon the private property of farmers, thereby lowering the value of the beasts so branded; whether the notice intimates that cattle presented for sale will only be dealt with on the understanding that this course is agreed to by farmers; whether he is aware of the indignation aroused among farmers at this practice; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter, which is having a very serious effect in stock-feeding districts?
§ Mr. McCURDYI have been asked to reply. The system of marking rejected stock was introduced to put a stop to the practice of immediately transferring stock from a market in which it has been rejected as immature to other markets, on the chance that it might be accepted by another grading committee. The mark in question is a scissor-mark, and, I am informed, does not in any way injure the hide. The fact that a beast is so marked does not preclude the owner from again offering it for sale for slaughter as soon420W as its condition warrants such a course. The Food Controller regards the marking of rejected stock as a reasonable condition attached to the purchase of fat stack by the Ministry of Food and, seeing that it is designed to prevent the slaughter of immature cattle, he is not at present prepared to discontinue it.