PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 220, 10 June 1908, Page 8

PHARMACEUTICAL CONFERENCE.

. OPENED BY THE MAYOR. - Tho Pharmaceutical Conference was formally opened by .His Worship the Mayor (tho Hon. T. W. liislpp), at the National Mutual Buildings last evening; Tho Mayor said that such a society as it was proposed to form was very necessary.'. The chemists, required a certain amount _pf. co-operation in ; order to inculcate' a proper public opinion regarding their' .'position in : society, and it was important, not; only tomembers, but to. the public generally, that the delegates,' who knew more, about: their than any members of the public could do, should meet together to discuss the subjects on. the agenda paper. It was nccessary. that public, opinion should be formed so as to bo ' a controlling force upon ■ overy individual member of tho profession. It ,was particularly interesting and encouraging to seo that amongjihe matters to bo discussed were proposals to place the profession upon a still higher platform than it occu- J pied at th'e present time, and it was tho intention that those entering the profession should have the privilege of higher education. Ho had much pleasure in declaring tho conference open, and he hoped that tho outcome would be the formation of. a high public opinion to guard their own interests consistent with the highest, good of' tho public generally., (Applause.) Mr. L. M'Kcnzio, president of tho Wellington Pharmaceutical Association, said that jit gavo: him great pleasure to see the Mayor present. This was the. first conference of,,its kind, and naturally it would be partly of. a routine character. It was hoped to mako rules to govern the future business, and to placo tho profession on a pedestal never reached before. Ho trusted that tho young men of the future would recognise tho importance of this movoment, and bo grateful to those gentlemen whom lie.was glad to. welcomo that evening. -Future conferences would > probablj» prove more interesting and educational, for in a country like_ this, which perhaps "contained' chemical wealth beyond that- of many others, it meant that unforeseen development which might occur would enlarge_ tho soopo of the-profession. Vast quantities of sulphur, _and alum were lying dormant, and the springs of', the thermal regions wore alive with silica. There were botanical forest plants of value,, such as manuka and koromiko, which "possessed astringent properties. These properties had novor been exploited. There were also medicinal waters which would-compare with any such waters in any part of the world. The youth of the future might be; called upon to pass examinations higher than tho present standard, and if they were not equal to the occasion, outsiders would exploit the Dominion's resources. On behalf of the Wellington Association, he extended a most hearty wolcomo to tho visitors. Mr. A. Hobson, of the Wellington ciation, also welcomed, the visitors. • On the motion of Mr. F. G. Casteles,' it was decided not to admit reporters, but to set up a Press committee to supply a report.Tho reporters then left tho room.. It was decidad to form a. New Zealand Federation. The following officers were elected: —President, Mr. Len M'Kenzio; vice-presidents, Messrs. A. Hobson (Wellington, W. Elder (Otago), M'Kay (Auckland), Williams (Hawko's Bay), Bonnington (Cliristchurch), Kitchen (Wanganui); lion.' secretary and treasurer, Mr. W. AVallace; lion, auditor, Mr. Jack. Tho constitution was adopted by the meeting, which was adjourned until 2.30 this afternoon.