MERCHANDISE MARKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 March 1926, Page 5

MERCHANDISE MARKS

NEW BRITISH BILL. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) LONDON, March 3. The Merchandise Marks on Imported Goods Bill was introduced in the House of Commons. It aims at securing the branding of imports in accor dance with their place of origin. Thereafter it shall be an offence to sell foreign goods not bearing the brand of origin. The Bill establishes a committee to hear applications from British traders desiring goods branded either of foreign or Empire manufacture or produce. There is also a provision that where branding is impracticable, foreign goods must be distinguished by special colouring or makeup from British or Empire goods. Publication of the text of the new Merchandise Marks Bill has provoked a prompt complaint from the British Empire Producers’ Organisation which writing to Sir P. Cunliffe Lister, is protesting against what it terms loop holes for skilful evasion. It notablv mentions a clause giving a foreign exporter the option of marking goods as of foreign manufacture or produce, or of definitely indicating the country of origin. The Association cites ingenious tricks allegedly employed to trade upon the public’s ignorance of geography. It urges the elimination of the option, and the substitution of a definite ruling that all goods shall be conspicuously marked as Empire produce or as foreign produce.