The Globe. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1874.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 111, 8 October 1874, Page 2

The Globe. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1874.

During the last session of the Provincial Council, the member for Port Victoria, Mr Potts, brought under the notice of the House the necessity which existed for the enforcing of the provisions of the adulteration of Food Act, in the Province. The arguments adduced by Mr Potts were alike convincing and startling, because they revealed a state of things which, to say the least of it, was highly discreditable to the province. The facts quoted by Mr Potts were amply corroborated by the Hon Mr Buckley and other members, the former gentleman stating that, from near his station alone, several cases of madness occurred every year, owing to adulterated liquors. The Government promised to take steps in this most important matter, and it was suggested that she services of Professor Bickerton, then on his way to the province should be asked for in the matter. Now months have elapsed, and nothing has been done towards carrying into practical effect the resolution of the Provincial Council, on a subject affecting certainly the health, and probably the lives, of the public. It was stated during the debate, and not denied subsequently, that one article of daily use, pepper, was so extensively adulterated as to only be composed of one-third genuine popper. If such was the case—an 1 in the absence of denial wc are bound to take it as a fact —then it is only fair to assume that the per cent age of a lulterat.ion in other articles of food is equally large and therefore the public health is being tampered with to an extent which is hardly conceivable. O ily recently a case occurred in which, after partaking of a small

portion of colonial beer, purclia-ed in the ordinary way, several persons exhibited all tbeaymptoms of vegetable poisoning in a mild form. We think that this subject is of so much importance that it demands the speedy and careful attention of the Government, witi» a view of appointing a local analyst with officials under him, to procure samples ol various articles of food and drink. Let two or three convictions under the Act take place, and it will act as a deterrent in a marked degree, preventing as well as curing the evil which we have abundant evidence is prevalent to a great degree amongst ns. Professor Bickerton is now here, and doubtless his services could be obtained by the Government as local analyst. At any rate, some steps should be taken by the Government to carry out the resolution of the Council passed last session.