PROTECTING THE PUBLIC

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12602, 12 November 1926, Page 6

PROTECTING THE PUBLIC

FOOD AND TOBACCO NEW ACT MEANS NEW PACKING fuel weights must be given Under the new Weights and Measures Act, which comes into operation in January next, there is an important clause which affects wholesale and retail tobacconists as well as provision and hardware merchants. Regulation 2 of Part IV. of the Act says; “No person shall, after the expiration of six months after the date of the gazetting of these regulations, sell by retail enclosed in a package in any quantity other than Joz, Joz, loz, 2oz, 4oz, Soz, 12oz, 11|>. ljlb, or multiples of lib net avoirdupois weight. . . . (a) Any article of food specified in table (cocoa, treacle and golden syrup, honey—except in comb—pepper, mustard); (b) any article specified m table B (which includes efftidies, tobacco, starch, soap other than toilet), varnish and lacquers, paints, nails, etc.). Under the present conditions many lines of tobacco are packed in Jths of an ounce, ljoz, 1 2-3 oz, and these are generally accepted by the public as loz and 2oz packets respectively, hence the object of the regulations. There are also 15oz plugs which are generally accepted as lib weight. All traders will have six months’ notice to get rid of their stocks as weighted which will be contrary to the new regulations. A similar state of things exists with regard to the other articles under A and B, and these will also be required to conform with the new requirements within six months from January Ist. Similar action was taken about two years ago by the food and drugs section of the Health Department. At that time butter was being sold in packets bearing a notice that it did not contain less than lojoz net. A “Times” representative visited shops, and several packages were weighed, showing that in bulk 12 pnekages did not contain a full 121 bof butter. The subject was pursued iu other direction*, and a very few months later regulations were gazetted prohibiting this method of packing, and providing that such packets should contain a full pound. The present regulations bring a number of other articles into line. So far as the tobacco trade is concerned the regulations are along the lines of those in force in Australia, where the full weights have to be declared on the package, and breaches are liable to severe penalties. PACKERS CONCERNED From inquiries made it is understood that the new regulations are causing the New Zealand packers of different commodities considerable concern, ns it means an overhaul of all packing arrangements. Practically all smokers’ tobaccos that come into New Zealand are packed in Australia, although one or two wellknown brands are packed in England or the United States. A Wellington retail tobacconist stated that when the new packages come into operation, the price would probably be increased, but the public would be getting full weight.