The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1883.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 4131, 28 September 1883, Page 2

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1883.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For tho wrong that needs resistance, For the futuro in tho distance, And tho good that wo can do.

TiiATan Adulteration Prevention Act should bo at all necessary is a fact not particularly creditable to our civilisation ; but that necessity being admitted, it is well that the law should be made as stringent and comprehensive as possible. Tho new law just passed by the New Zealand Parliament, and which comes into operation on Ist December next, fulfils the requisite conditions so far as any such enactment can do so. The loca' authorities are empowered to appoint Inspectors under the Act, and any purchasi r of foods or drugs may have them analysed by a Government Analyst on payment of a fee, and prosecute if adulteration is detected. Any person refusing to sell samples to tho Inspector is liable to a penalty ol i'lo, and all fines recovered arc to go to tho local body. In buying for analysis, tho purchaser is to divide the articles into three parts, each to be sealed up—one to bo given to the seller, one to the Analyst, and onekeptby the purchaser for comparison. In the case of imported wines or spirits, samples may be demanded by the Inspector without payment, and if adulteration is discovered, the importer must enter a bond to destroy the liquor or send it out of the colony, failing which it will be destroyed by the Custom's authorities. Milk, certain foods, and all drugs must reach certain specified standards ; brandy, whisky, or rum may bo diluted with water to 23 degrees under proof, and gin to the extent of 'So under proof. The only provision which we do not like here is that allowing adulterated stuff to be sent <sut of the colony. All abominations in foods or drugs should be destroyed, and not merely inflicted upon some other community. The Act, chiefly through the exertions of Mr Swansoa, M.H.R. for Newton, contains very drastic measures for the preservation of tho purity of "the staff of life," and the prevention of swindling by light weight. Every baker must ijtamp his initials and the true

weight on every loaf mado or sold by him, U ider a penalty of £5 for every loaf mistamped or of light weight sold or offered or sa'o. Bread which is over twenty four hours old may bo sold light, as stale bread, but the weight is to be made up by adding other bread. Plain bread is to be sold only in loaves of two, four, .six, and eight pounds ; and of course the above restrictions do not apply to fancy bread. It is made incumbent upon Inspectors to examine from time to time the bread offered for sale within their districts and test the weight of loaves, mid any resistance to the Inspector is punishable by a line of t's. In passing this Act, the Legislature have done their utmost to secure the interests of the public, and it only remains for the local authorities to carry out tho law, A correspondent the other day vrrotecomplaining of short weight, and asking if thero was an Inspector in the district. Hitherto the law could not reach the vendors of light broad, but under this new Act there should bu no possibility of the public being defrauded. The City Council will doubtless appoint an Inspector, as provided by statute, and in future people will know to whom to direct their complaints, and will also know who to blame if their wrongs .-ire not rodvossed.