This Bill is to enable the Minister for Agriculture to grant a licence to Mackamore Dairy, in County Wexford, to use the word "creamery" in connection with its butter for a further period of three years up to December, 1930. Under Section 42, sub-section (2), of the Dairy Produce Act, 1924, the Minister for Agriculture was authorised by licence for a period of three years up to December, 1927, to grant a licence to a class that consisted exclusively of this particular dairy to use the word "creamery" in connection with the sale of their butter, even though the butter was not manufactured quite in accordance with the regulations that govern the manufacture of creamery butter. That time has expired, and consequently the Minister has no power to grant a licence for any further term. The intention of the Bill is to authorise the Minister in discretion to grant such licence for a further period of three years. Originally it was considered that the national brand would be in operation before 1927. If it were, this particular dairy could have earned the national brand and sold its butter under it. For one reason or another the national brand has not been established, but it will be, and I hope in full operation before 1930. This creamery will then have the opportunity of earning the national brand, and consequently there will not be the same need for using the word "creamery" in connection with it.
PUBLIC BUSINESS. - DAIRY PRODUCE (AMENDMENT) BILL, 1927—SECOND STAGE.
Question—"That the Bill be now read a Second Time"—put and agreed to.
Committee Stage ordered for Tuesday, November 8th.