PACKING OF SHEEP DIP.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1919, Page 5

PACKING OF SHEEP DIP.

A WELLINGTON CASE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. At the Magistrate's Court the Farmers' Co-operative Wholesale Federation, Limited, was charged with having imported poison improperly packed. Counsel for the defence suggested that the legislation was not clear on whether sheep dip containing a certain percentage of arsenic came under the Poisons Act The manufacturers of the dip were in Australia, and had been shipping sheep dip powder direct from Melbourne to New Zealand in a certain way which had never previously been challenged. One shipment arrived in a damaged condition, »nd the importers were, under our legislation, responsible for a b.each of the Act. However, as soon as the defect was discovered, the company took strong action to ensure that future supplies) would be sent in accordance with the New Zealand Act. He contended that it was merely a technical offence. Mr. Macassey, for the Crown, read an official report to show that the dip bad not been carried in packages of sufficient strength. The magistrate said it appeared to be agreed that the importers were at the mercy of the exporters, but it was still their duty to see that the goods were packed in accordance with New Zealand requirements. The magistrate said that in view of the action of the defendant company to prevent similar occurrences it would only bo ordered to pay costs. A SOUTHERN CASE. Dunedin, Last Night. In the Police Court John Chambers and Son were charged with importing poison —to wit, sheep dip powder, containing arsenic—without seeing that same was packed in accordance with the requirements of the Poisou Act. Defendants explained that this was the first shipment from a firm which exported the goods, and they did not know how the contents were packed. Defendants were "fined £2O and coats £i 13s.