THE QUACKERY BILL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14428, 19 July 1907, Page 2

THE QUACKERY BILL.

AMUSING PARLIAMENTARY i INTERLUDE. [From Oue Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, July 17. Armed with a lengthy list of analyses, Mr Hornsby {Wairarapa) endeavoured this evening to demolish everyone’s ideals in medicine and tonics one by one. He pulled to pieces the favourite mixtures, exposing their ingredients to the vulgar understanding and letting in some light upon what stands behind the attractive label and the high-sound-ing name. The occasion was the second reading of Air Hornsby’s Quackeries Bill, which was introduced last session with the intention of preventing tho sale of remedies unless tho formula is first deposited with an examining board to_ be appointed for the purpose of issuing certificates if they are satisfied in regard to tho curative or other beneficial qualities of the preparation submitted to them. Mr Hornsby proceeded first to disclose the constituent parts of popular pills, some of which, he alleged, contained soap. When there were exceptions amused members cried disappointedly “What! no soapp” One specific, the title of which happened to coincide with the name of a popular southern member, was said to contain 47 per cent of free sulphur and a little bitters. This, of course, was taken in a personal sense. Members affected to become quite startled when the speaker quoted a compound which sounded like “ Bubos Bericolosis.” i “Now we come to hair restorers,” proceeded Mr Hornsby, and a number ol members qizickly put on their hats. Mr Aitken (Wellington) who ,is happily independent of such preparations, suggested for the benefit of his elderly colleagues on the Opposition benches that the particulars ol the restorers should be read out slowly, so that they could be taken down. Air Hornsby rapidly passed on to drink cures, one of which was said to be merely sugar and salt. Mr R. M’Kenzie endeavoured to put a period to the merriment by suggesting that Mr Hornsby was out of order in reading his speech, “I am quoting a scientific document,” retorted Mr Hornsby. I am sorry the honourable gentleman is perturbed. ■ H© is not a dealer in quack medicines.” Mr Wilford '(referring to Air Al’Kenzie’s private -Bill regarding noxious weeds): “He has some noxioua subjects on hand.” Having successfully escaped the point of order, Mr Hornsby went on to say that the medicines quoted were never worth more than sixpence a bottle; so that it paid the proprietors to advertise extensively. His Bill would not prevent any honest man or the genuine practitioner from carrying on his profession, but it would stop the operations of the charlatan. He desired to see the Bill sent to a Select' Committee, which would have power to take evidence and report-. The Bill was read a second time, and referred to a Select Committee of ton members.