I move amendment 6:—
In page 7, before Section 14, to insert a new section as follows:—
(1) Whenever a local authority is of opinion, as a result of representations made to them, or on their own motion, that there is a demand for common pasture for milch cows and goats in their area, and are further of opinion that the costs and expenses to be incurred by them in providing and maintaining the land for such common pasture and otherwise in relation thereto may reasonably be expected to be recouped by the payments to be made to them for the use of the common pasture, such local authority may resolve to provide land for such common pasture under this Act, and may thereupon carry such resolution into execution under and in accordance with this Act.
(2) Whenever a local authority has resolved in accordance with the preceding sub-section to provide land for common pasture, the provisions of this Act (other than the limitation of the size of an allotment) shall apply in like manner as if "allotments" included "common pasture" and "rent" included a charge for turning out an animal upon common pasture, and the power of the local authority to make regulations under this Act shall extend to the making of regulations in regard to any or all of the following matters, that is to say:—
(a) the classes of persons eligible to be permitted to turn out animals upon pasture;
(b) the number of animals to be turned out upon the common pasture;
(c) the charge to be made in respect of each animal turned out.
This amendment is for a definite purpose which I think of the gravest importance in this regard. It was proposed in the Bill which I had the pleasure, honour and privilege of introducing, that provision should be made for what are known as cow-parks or grazing lands for milch cattle and goats. I have had representations from different parts of the country as to the importance of this provision in the earlier Bill and regret that no provision was made for it in the present Bill. There is no doubt that in many of the provincial towns there has been a shortage of milk and that the poorer people have had difficulty in obtaining supplies. It has been one of the charges against the creamery system that farmers who are anxious to get all they can in the way of monetary return for their produce send all their milk to the creamery and that their families are deprived of the necessary quantity. The development of the grass holding to permit of the cottager keeping goats or milch cows for the use of himself and his neighbours should be encouraged rather than discouraged. This Bill does not make any provision for the acquisition of grass lands for this purpose and my amendment is proposed with a view to remedying that omission. The present law on the matter does not fulfil the requirements. One of the objections made to the provisions of the original Bill was that farmers, tradesmen, merchants and others would take advantage of the powers and use the land for grazing bullocks and for purposes other than the provision of milk. Under this provision which I suggest, the use of these lands would be restricted definitely to the purpose in view. I hope the Minister has reconsidered his attitude in this matter and that he will agree to make provision for cow-parks or common pasturage for milch cows or goats for the purpose I have indicated.