INSPECTION LAW.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume IV, Issue 329, 2 March 1844, Page 2

INSPECTION LAW.

It is anticipated that serious inconvenience ; will be felt from having to hold flax during the period that enough may be collected to form a sufficient quantity with which to load a vessel. The flax must be purchased from the natives as they prepare it, or their inducement to furnish this valuable export will be destroyed ; at the same time none here are in a condition to hold a considerable quantity of flax uutil an opportunity for shipment is afforded, or an export demand arise. Advances in anticipation of sale or shipment are needed, and possibly they might be procured if the article could be securely deposited in the charge of an impartial person, under sufficient security for the due fulfilment of his office. Experience fortunately points out the course to be adopted. It is thought that the flax might be deposited in the bonded stores, under the care of the customs. We know not whether the bonding act would permit of this course being adopted ; or if it does not whether the act might not be amended, so as to enable parties to obtain '.he security which would be afforded by such an arrangement.

In England, especially in London, it is the custom to grant what are called dock warrants, for articles under the charge of the dock companies, and these documents are nearly as available for the purpose of procuring loans on the property described, as Exchequer bills or bills of Ekchange.

Many of the principal articles produced iv the United States, and in the British North American colonies, are subjected to an act, intitled an Inspection Law. Timber, deals, staves, flour, pork, beef, and ashes, are all sold under inspection certificates.

We will give a case in illustraion. By an act in America, a person is appointed inspector of pot and pearl ashes. He has to afford proof that he is competent to classify the articles according to their quality and condition ; and security for filling his office faithfully. His reward is derived from rent and a small fee on every package. The office having been created -and the store sanctioned, the duty commences. A small farmer on arriving in town with four or five barrels of ashes, must have them inspected before they can he sold for export. This being the law he proceeds forthwith to the Inspectors store where he deposits his load, which is examined and classified, so soon as possible, when a ! certificate is handed him declaring that the article is of first, second, or third quality, or being below the lowest standard, or damaged, is declared " unbrandable." By this it should be understood that the quality is branded on the package. In addition the certificate furnishes a mark and a distinguishing number for each cask, together with the exact weight contained therein. The fees due to the Inspector are also stated and the date of the certificate furnishes the means of calculating the amount of rent due upon the lot, at any moment. The farmer having received this certificate proceeds either to the houses most probable to purchase the article be has for sale, or leaves it for sale at a proper moment with the store-keeper from whom he is in the habit of receiving his supplies. By this mode a merchant is commonly in a condition in one hour to buy certificates of the article he wishes to ship sufficient to load a vessel.

We are assured that some similar system exists in South America, where even wheat can be deposited under these convenient arrangements.

If the bonding system cannot be brought to bear it would, we think, be well to apply to his Excellency to pass this session an Act that would license a certain class of stores, and provide for the inspection of flax after the fashion of inspecting ashes. The flax might be delivered fit to come within so many classes, and when it could not be stated to belong to either, it might, as in the case of ashes, have a peculiar term expressive of its condition of unfitness. Under such an act a party would deposit his five or ten tons of flax in the .Inspectors warehouse, and in due time receive a certificate descriptive of the quality and weight of each bale, and a provision for sorting and duly packing it might also be made in the Act. In which case the certificate would furnish all the knowledge upon which to make a purchase, and would afford a guarantee that no misunderstanding or disappointment would arise.

No expense would arise to the Government in consequence of creating such an act ; for it must be remembered that the Inspector is or Inspectors are, to be entirely remunerated by fees, for the work done. The Inspector would be, made a Aax agitator, by his office ; for If no %4i ,-came to market his occupation wojjld As it is evident no efcpenfe~e' v will befall the Government, a consideration in our days, if the act was not brought into operation, and as much good migh: ensue from such an enactment, wt

would suggest the utility ,of the mercantile body requesting his Honor the Superintendent to submit the propriety to his Excellency of forthwith passing a law of the description.

We call the attention of the Sheriff to a letter in to-day's paper, entitled refined cruelty and signed "Observer." We have already heard remarks on the subject, and feel confident we may place every confidence in the statements of our correspondent.