RED GROSS AS A TRADE MARE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2106, 5 July 1894, Page 34

RED GROSS AS A TRADE MARE.

Tbe Pharmaceutical Era of May 1 says : — "Ou account of its attractive and artistic qualities many manufacturers of this country have adopted and have been using for years trade marks whose distinctive features are a red cross. It will be remembered that in 1864 nearly 40 nations, including the United States, agreed upon a treaty which had for its aim the mitigation of the evils of war by providing for the use of a red Greek cross upon a white background to be displayed upon the persons of the members, appliances, buildings, &c, of the Red Cross Society. It is claimed that the use of this insignia by private parties is a serious embarrassment to the military forces of the country during a time of war. To obviate these difficulties there has been passed in the House of Representatives a bill (No. 5580) which has already reached the senate and been referred to the committee on foreign relations."

The Era gives the text of the bill in full, but it will be sufficient for us to quote the following paragraph from it: — "All persons who have adopted or are using the red cross as a trade mark shall, within one year after the passage of this act, discontinue the use of the same, dr be liable to a fine of not less than 50dol or more than 500dol and confiscation of said articles of whatever description, unless the central committee of the American National Red Cross gives them special written permission to do so, for which privilege a consideration of not less than 500dol shall be paid to the s*id committee ; all flues, confiscation of merchandise, and so forth, shall be turned over to the American National Red Cross to be used as it considers appropriate."