THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1882. ADULTERATION OF LIQUOR.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2691, 22 November 1882, Page 2

THE GLOBE. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1882. ADULTERATION OF LIQUOR.

We have on more than one occasion called public attention to the urgent necessity which exists for a more stringent course of legislation with reference to the adulteration of liquors, more especially spirits. It is true we

have an Act bearing on the subject, but it is utterly and completely a dead letter, and has -never been on one single oceasion ; psjotluetivOj 0f... the least practical benefit,.aa.a protection to the public. The following extract, which we take from a recent issue of the Melbourne “ Argus,” seems to us to point, oven more strongly if possible, to the desirableness of steps being at once taken in, the matter. .It will be seen ( .that it is there stated that a very large quantity of bad spirits were expected to be imported into the Melbourne market. It is a sure thing that a groat deal of these will find their way to New Zealand, for somehow the good people of Australia appear to have a very low opinion of our taste and judgment, alike in the quality of liquor and theatrical eitntiinments. 11 Oh, that is good enough for New Zealand,” is the comment, whether it be a shipment of potato spirit and fusel oil, or a fourteenthrate theatrical combination. Now, to he forewarned is to be forearmed, and we think our readers will agree with us, when they read the accompanying extract, that the lime has now arrived when something should bo done to protect the public from being poisoned and their health undermined by had spirits. The “Argus” says;— “ A deputation from the Licensed Victuallers Association . waited upon the Commissioners of Trade and Customs to ask for some additional steps to be taken to prevent the importation of inferior or adulterated spirits and wines. They submitted for Mr. Graves’ consideration the following resolution, passed at a recent mooting of the association; — ‘That, in order to protect the public from injury, tho Commissioner of Cns- | toms be respectfully requested to he i caused to be tested and analysed samples j taken from bond of all spirits, ales, wines, liqueurs, hitters, &c., imported into the colony, and also samples of similar liquors manufactured in the colony, and instruct the results to be published, in each case specifying the title, trade mark, &c., of the liquor, tested and analysed, and the name of tho producer. The reason for urging the Commissioner to take this step is that since the Exhibition many now brands of spirits, &c., had been introduced, the age and quality of which require investigation in the interests of the public health,and morality.’ The Secretary of tho Association explained that a large qnanity of had spirits and of spirits of an inferior quality were expected to be imported shortly from abroad, and it was highly necessary that this spirit should be tested before it was allowed to go upon the market. At the present time imported brandy was being sold for Is 9d per gallon. An analysis, as proposed in tho resolution, was recently made of fifty .samples in Sydney, and the results were published. Mr. Graves said that he had not the power under the existing law to test or analyse samples of liquor in bond, or to publish the results of any other analysis. He had prepared a Bill, however, to amend the laws relating to or affecting tho adulteration of food, and to make better provision for the sale of all food and drugs in a pure state. This Bill had not been approved of as yet by the Attorney-General, but it provided for the very analysis and publication of results which the deputation desired. He hoped to ha able to introduce this Bill and pass it through Parliament at an early date.” Now, this is just what wo want hero. It will he observed that exhibitions are not always an nnmixed blessing, inasmuch as that held in Melbourne appears to have brought out some brands of spirits, &c., which, to say tho least of it, appear to have been somewhat shady. It is very strange but we can corroborate this experience by our International Exhibition recently here. There was collected together on that occasion—as the unfortunate jury on wines, spirits, <fee , will no doubt remember, even now, with feelings of anguish—some of the moat fearfully and wonderfully concocted spirits ever seen here. We do not deny that there was s number of very high class samples, but there was also some of that description which our American cousins have tersely but most truly named “Tanglefoot.” This has gone on to our market. It has been sowing tho seeds of disease amongst us, and may for all we know still be at the same work. Yet we have no machinery by which it can ha detected and the public warned. The proposal of the Melbourne Licensed Victuallers’ Association, however, seems to us to ha what we should incorporate into our Act, providing for periodical analyses in bond of the various shipments and the publication of tho results. Whoa we have it stated that imported brandy is being sold in Melbourne at Is 9i per gallon, it seems to us that we should take means to protect ourselves. So soon as the importers find any movement made in Melbourne to have a test of spirits in bond, they will seek a market amongst the simpleminded New Zealanders, and we shall have our market flooded with these deleterious compounds. They know pretty well that the Act we have in force is a mere bogey, fit only to frighten children, and that there are a hundred ways of evading it. Besides it will not touch them. They can sell with impunity to the publican who, tempted by a little extra profit, will not hesitate to serve out to his customers the poisonous stuff, trusting to hu acquaintance with the Force to save him from any unpleasant consequences. The visit of tho deputation above alluded to, and tho reasons given by them for their request, seem to ns to interest Now Zealand very deeply; and we only hope that, having called public attention to the matter, some stops will fc" taken to remedy tho evils which exist in connection with the sale of inferior spirits in our midst.