PROTECTING THE PUBLIC AND HONEST TRADERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8539, 20 September 1907, Page 5

PROTECTING THE PUBLIC AND HONEST TRADERS.

(From Our Parliamentary Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. In the House of Representatives; Mr Hanan asked the Premier whether he willy after the passage of the tariff proposals, introduce legislation on the lines of the Australian Commerce Act, with the following objects:— (1) To protect those traders who correctly describe their goods from competitors who by false or misleading descriptions deceive the public, to the disadvantage of the honest manufacturer who may have established a reputation for a good article; (2) to protect the public by requiring, in cases where the proper maintenance of the public health or public interest makes it expedient, that manufacturers shall indicate on their goods the nature of the ingredients or materials of which they are composed; (3) that the purchasing public shall know theactual country of origin of imported gocds; (4) that the reputation of the national industries of New Zealand may be maintained, and probably increased, by insuring that New Zealand productions of inferior kinds shall not be permitted to masquerade under a description whi-:h is applicable only to the best quality. The Premier replied: "The work still to be done during the session is very heavy, and no promise can be given; but the protection of the public is so important that I hope to have suitable proposals prepared during the recess 1o submit for the consideration of Parliament next session."