The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 1907. PURITY OF FOOD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2149, 3 August 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, AUGUST 3, 1907. PURITY OF FOOD.

The most important measure dealin; with foods and drugs which has ever been placed on the New Zealand Statute Book has just been passed by tlio House of Representatives, and may therefore be said to have survived the worst ordeal of criticism and amendment, and to have every chance of becoming law. As a number of important amendments were made in the Pure Foods Bill during its passage through tlio' House, tsummary of its provisions will be of interest, especially seeing that, they are destined to create a radical change in the nature of much of our food and drink. The special correspondent of the Lyttelton “Times” repents that, according to the Bill, “Food” is not merely that which .is consumed at the people’s tables, but comprises every article which is used for food or drink by man, or which enters into or is used in the composi-

tion or preparation of any such, article, and also includes flavoring-mat-ter s and condiments. This means that not only is the breakfast mutton chop liable to bo seized for analysis if it is not already in a private house, but that t-lie flavorings and sauces are also liable to have their

claims to purity tested. The measure is called “A Pure Food Bill,” but it also seems to cover drugs, which are defined to include “medicine whether for internal or external purposes.” So comprehensive is the definition of “food” that a confectioner who used a few drops of an impure flavoring essence in his sweetmeats would be liabl; to a penalty. Any person who believes he has been victimised by, say, tho wooden nutmeg or any form of adulteration of an article intended for human consumption has a right, upo i payment of the analyst’s fee an 1 th© cost of the sample, to require any constable to purchase a portion of the article suspected to lie impure or adulterated, and submit it for analysis. Officers of the Health Department and any constable authorised by the Chief Health Officer have power to enter and inspect any placo in which they have reasonable cause to believe food is intended for sale, and to seize any which appears to he unwholesome or deleterious to health. There is no power to enter a private house, but otherwise the officers’ range of action is very wide, extending to butchers’ or bakers’ carts and

to the kitchen of a restaurant. Where tho Bill breaks new ground, is in its control over proprietary articles sold under particular brands generally well advertised. Many brands of tea, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, soap, and other commodities, for winch there is a big sale, are often mixed with ingredients not specified on tlie label, but the new Bill, with

an important exception, requires "Biliks’ mustard” to be nothing but the product of the mustard seed, if it is not to come under the ban of the Health Department. If there has be>.H a judicious introduction of flour this must be confessed on the label, unless, and this is an important point for owners of popular proprietary articles, tile Governor by Order-in-Council has exempted the particular bland from the operation of the Act' If “Biliks’ mustard” has been slightly adulterated, but is known to be a reliable article, the Governor may gram it exemption, and the label .•iced not confess that there is i t little flou•* in the compound. Alost people prefer their coffee 'mixed with chicory, and under tli 0 sub-clause introduced in committee it will still be possible for a manufacturer to sell a favorite coffee mixture, including' chicory without changing his present label. ifetailors who deal ill food compounds are protected against prosecu-ti-j.i for adulteration if they secure a wan sixty from the wholesome merchant. The latter in turn may rely on a warranty from the manufacturer, but no warranty given by a person residing outside tile colony call be hi h| to be a good defence to an action unless the defendant proves that lie had taken reasonable steps to ascertain and did in fact believe, in the

truth of the matters set forth in the warranty relied upon. .Extensive (lowers are given to make, regulations by Order-in-Couiicil gazetted. These regulations may prescribe tlie standard of strength, weight, cpialitv, or quantity of any food or drug, prohibit any objectionabi? mode of manufacture, prescribe the mode and nature of labelling upon food or drug packages, and proliiliit the sale of specified articles of fo >d other than by weight. The penalty for a breach of the Act is £oo or under. The measure has yet to pass the Legislative Council, and it is intended that it shall come into opex*ation on January 1, 1908. The provisions appear to have been carefully devised wit 1 a view to preventing the disgraceful adulteration which is permitted at present in regard to both food and drugs, and if this object is achieved the session of 1907 will have HOC been wholly barren of good to the community.

Tlie annual social in aid of the Gisborne Hospital is to be held on S p tombor 19 and 20, m tlu- N./. Slop piug Company’s stores. Air T A. Coleman convenes n inciting for Monday evening at the Council Chambers, to make aiinngiments for tho Hospital Social. Supporters are welcomed. Mr W. Miller lias received tho following additional subscriptions to the Cook Memorial Rectification bund: \V. Bissaut Clayton, Li Is; J. nJones, 10s. Miss Murcutt, in tho course of a lecture at Napier, said slip had soon many quaint conveyances m various p'lrt'i of tho world, but the strangest cab that she hod ever come across in all her travelling slio had found in the streets of Napier.

Owing to tlio absence of tho secretary, Mr. Clias. Ferris, jun., a meeting of tlio Gisborne Poultry Fanciers Club callod for last evening, lapsed. At tlio appointed hour there were only a foiv members present. 11 possible a mooting .will ho convened next week.

Miss Pilcher, of Port Awumii,. is under temporary transier to the Gisborr.e telephone staff. Mr. J>. Auigoo, of tlio Marion office, will take up the telegraphic work at Port Awunui, where, in common with Waip,ru Bay and Tuparoa, Morse instruments have now been installed.

It is Foreign Mission Sunday at Wesley Church to-morrow. The Rev. C. Griffin’s subjects are: Morning, ‘•What Christ Endures to AY in the World”; and evening. “Evangelising the World a Big Older.” Special collections all dav lor missions. Communion at the morning service.

The meetings all day to-morrow at th? Salvation Army Hall will be conducted by tho members of the Band. Special items will be rendered during the day by tho Band members. It will also'be a welcome to Captain Church, who will be staying in Gishonie for a few months. On Monday evening tile Band will hold their social at 7.30 (in place of 8 o’clock). Those who have received cards are asked to accept this slight alteration. His Worship the Mayor will preside.

A very enjoyable smoke concert was held last evening in His Majesty’s Theatre, being tendered by Mr. Segoclin, proprietor of the Victoria Billiard Saloon, to a number of billiard enthusiasts. Mr. T. Bragge occupied the chair, and presented the prizes competed for in the recent tournament. which were won by Messrs. Munro and Telcani Pore. Mr. Mnnro Pero was unable to be present, and bis brother received, on his behalf, the handsome gold medal which was presented as first prize, and was himself the recipient of a gold-mount-ed amber cigarettes holder. A long programme was gone through, and tlio social terminated about 10 o'clock, all having thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Miss A. L. A. Murcutt arrives this morning from Napier by the Mokoia. This afternoon a welcome is to be tendered to her by his Worship the Mayor in the Presbyterian Schoolroom. All citizens are invited to the function, which will take the form of an afternoon tea. Miss Murcutt’s lectures begin to-morrow evening nfter the'churches come out on the subject of “National Righteousness.” The full programme of her lectures is givei in our advertising columns. Admission on Sunday is free, but them will be a silver collection. On the four following nights admission is also free, with silver collection, but seats in the dress circle and orchestral stalls are one shilling. No booking is required. Friday, the last lecture, is a special one, at which the entrance to all parts of the theatre is one shilling. On Sunday evening the Mayor will preside.