WHAT'S ON THE LABEL?

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 232, 1 October 1928, Page 4

WHAT'S ON THE LABEL?

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS. "When is sixteen ounces not a pound?"! appears to be a problem that is likely to cause trouble, to business firms. Many lines are imported in pound and half-pound packages, and these have oil the labels printed Boz, or 16oz. Government regulations now require that packages containing 16oz must he marked "one pound net," but strange to say half-pound packages can still be marked "8oz." The cause of the trouble is that the regulation stipulates that a package must be marked in the highest unit applicable to the weight it contains, and it has been laid down that 16oz net must be marked "one pound.'' while halfpound packets must be marked 80/. Many tons of goods are in Xcw Zealand that are marked 16 oz net on the packages, and although the regulation is stated to nave come into force right away, no doubt, as in other cases, the authorities will allow reasonable time for importers to quit what they have in stock and lines in transit. Kven then it means writing to firms abroad to alter their labels for future shipments. One business man. when asked his opinion, sauv "16oz net means one pound net. and ior the lite of nie 1 cannot see why the alteration is required in the labels! The trade in New Zealand is net iv big item for large firms in England,, and what 1 fear that with these changes some of them may decide that our business is not" worth their trouble." These are not the only instances .of attention that is being bestowed on retailers through Government regulations, for instance, tins of pepper 11111 st not be sold as _ containing 31b; 21b. or 4 or (i are permissible. The popular line pork and beans may be sold but not under that description. 'Beans with pork flavouring" »•* th « G»v«.nme„t