CHEMISTS’ CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3756, 9 March 1926, Page 81

CHEMISTS’ CONFERENCE.

PROCEEDINGS OPENED. CIVIC RECEPTION EXTENDED. At the Somerset Lounge of the Savoy on the Ist a social function was held as an official opening of the annual conference of the New Zealand Pharmaceutical Society which commenced in Dunedin yesterday. The chairman of the Otago branch of the society (Mr G. C. Hoffmann) was in the chair, and there were present about 70 people, who spent a most enjoyable evening. Musical items were provided by a first-class orchestra, several vocal item? were contributed, there were several dances and supper was served. The deputy-mayor (Cr W. B. Taverner) attended in place ol the mayor (Mr 11. L. Tapley, M.P.) to extend a civic welcome to the visiting delegates. Cr Taverner said that Dunedin had been honoured by the holding of many conferences recently. Dunedin people had probably not fully realised the honour paid them in this way. It was a real pleasure to have the people from all over New Zealand in our city. They would see a great deul to interest them at the Exhibition, and possibly what would appeal to them most would be the exhibits by the Public Health Department * Great alterations had taken place in their profession with the passing years, continued Mr Taverner. In the days of his youth the front of a chemist's shop had a few large coloured bottles, with a flickering gaslight behind, and the chemist was a man with a long white beard. Their parent organisation was founded in days of oppression, the cause of many British institutions. The original society was founded in 1841, and received a Royal charter in 1843. Its objects were the advancement of chemistry and pharmacy and to promote a uniform system of education for those practising the same; also as a protection to those carrying on business. He presumed the New Zealand Society had similar provisions, which would make not only for the benefit ot their profession, but also for the benefit of the community at large. He trusted they would have a pleasant session, and that the visitors would go away from Dunedin pleased with their stay, both from a professional and a social point of view. Mr Taverner concluded his remarks with a reference to the Exhibition, and promised the delegates of the interesting experiences in store for them when they pain a visit to Logun Park.

MR E SMITH REPLIES. Mr Edward Smith (Auckland), a member of the Pharmacy Board, apologised for the abseuce of the chairman of the board (Mr F. Castle), who was unavoidably detained in Wellington. He heartily congratulated those associated with the Exhibition upon its great success It was absolutely the greatest achievement of ffs kind over accomplished in Australasia.—-(Applause.) One of the most important matters under consideration at the present time, he said, was the establishment of a college of pharmacy. It was not yet an accomplished fact, but before the next conference sat it was hoped it would be established. During the post year the Pharmacy Board had been engaged in preparing tnl necessary detail work, and more would be heard of the matter during the conference. Another mu'/nr of great importance was the provision of a proper Poisons Aot for

New Zealand The matter had been in the h/mds of r*ie Pharmaceutical Society and the P/anuacj Board for years. A Bill had been liJroduMxl, but had not got through. They V ?ro iot giving up hope that the matter /voidl become law. “\Ve as profession*/ me*? are satisfied," said Mr Smith, “that jiki'.i a law in this country is absolutely noaoßary, not for the benefit of chemists, but for the protection of the general public.” He had noticed a case only the other day in which the magistrate said it was a scandal that a man should be refused a small amount of poison at a chemist’s shop, and yet be able to go to a florist’s and buy a pound of it. As chemists they did not want to stop the sale of agricultural poisons. They wanted everyone to realise that in handling poisou they were not handling something harmless.—(‘Hear, hear ”) If they could not get what they wanted in any other way they would have to raise a cry right throughout the country. As a member of the Pharmacy Board, he did not intend to rest until there was such a law on the Statute Book. The speaker thanked Mr Hoffmann, president of the local branch of the society, for the entertainment which it was providing for the visitors. He looked forward to a? pleasurable and profitable a rime as they spent at the conference here two years ago.—(Applause.) LOCAL PRESIDENT’S REMARKS. Mr Hoffmann expressed thanks to the deputy-mayor on behalf of the local association. The speaker went on to stress the importance of the social side of such conferences as theirs, and outlined the arrangements made for the entertainment oi tne visitors. These include trips around the city and to Waitati this morning and tomorrow morning respectively, a reception by the Exhibition directors this afternoon, and a social evening in the Tudor Hall tomorrow night The consideration of the business to be discussed by the Conference commenced yesterday in the board room in the Express Company’s Buildings, Mr G. C. Hoffman (president of the Otago branch) occupying the chair. The Chairman expressed gratification at seeing such a fine attendance and the strong representation of members at the Conference. Before they went into the business appearing on the agenda paper, he would like to touch on one or two points with regard to the Conference in reference to their attitude towards the public. Tho first thing they had to consider in matters relating to their calling—excepting technical ones —was undoubtedly the public interest. It was very certain that when any body of men that had to work with the publio and for rhe public, did someth that was detrimental to public welfare its succes® would be of short duration. They had t<x realise that the public good was their first consideration, and that authorities and those in power must be satisfied that what they desired and what they attempted to do was in the public interest. They as chemists were making various attempts to get Bills passed through Parliament, and were ;rying to improve the status of pharmacy matters generally by new methods, by education, and th. provision of facilities for education. If they were doing their share in protecting the publio against ignorance and incompetence they were doing work that was to the benefit of the public. They were undoubtedly working in the public welfare, and sometimes their own individual advantages had to be sacrificed. If they were prepared to educate themselves up to the necessary standard they had every right to expect the public would protect their calling, and ensure them a reasonable living under reasonable conditions. He thought that could be accepted as a working policy by any sensible body of men. Although they must consider themselves, their profession would not attain .ultimate success bv following a selfish policy. They as a body of chemists must be careful that they did not over-emphasise the individual aspect of the matter. They must keep in view the great point that what they did was 1o tbe general good of the public, and i l> ’ they succeeded in maintaining that throughout they would succeed in showing Parliament and the public that they were earnest-minded men, not working selfishly but were citizens worthy of the country in which they lived and trying to act honestly for the benefit of the public. They must noo to it that t.hey remembered these points. It was moved, seconded, and carried unanimously that the remainder of the business be considered in private. The remits then came under discussion, and occupied the remainder of (he day.