The Star. SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 1890. Our Pepper.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6885, 21 June 1890, Page 2

The Star. SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 1890. Our Pepper.

Thb Chemist and Druggist of Australasia has, according to a recent issue, taken the New Zealand Government somewhat severely to task for their action in winking at the importation of an article, in the shape of ground olive stones,' which is used extensively in the adulteration of pepper. The paper goes on to show the similarity of this stuff called " poivrebte " to black pepper, and wisely informs its readers how to detect the adulteration. Why the New Zealand Government should have gone out of their way to pass an Order-in-Council sanctioning the introduction of an article of no use except, as is pointed out, for manure, is a question which we hope will be asked of them by some member of the House of Representatives during the present session of Parliament. As it is, we learn that five tons of this article have been landed on the shores of New Zealand, but the consignee finds that the game is not worth the candle, as the traders in pepper prefer to keep an unsullied name and reputation— a circumstance which all householders will agree with us in rejoicing at. As the importer of the spurious article has Buffered a loss by this small Bhipment, and will not be likely to pay thefourpenny duty on the balance of his order, the remaining twenty tons will, we presume, be consigned to destruction by the Customs authorities. At anyrate, its arrival will be looked for -with a certain amount of eagerness. ________^_»_