1.—14.

REPORT.

The Quackery Prevention Bill Committee, to whom was referred the Quackery Prevention Bill, have the honour to report that, after carefully considering the same, and having taken the evidence of a number of witnesses, and considered a number of communications thereon, they recommend that the Bill be not proceeded with in its present form. In the meantime, however, the Committee, in view of the serious matters sought to be dealt with by the Bill, strongly impresses upon the Government the urgent necessity for passing legislation this session, viz. : — 1. Preventing the advertising and supply of any preparation, medicine, or appliance alleged to be for the prevention, alleviation, or cure of any human ailment or physical defect, that in the opinion of a Judge of the Supreme Court is harmful to health, or of a fraudulent nature, or of such character that it cannot have the effect claimed for it, or cannot effect the purpose for which it was supplied 2. To make it unlawful for any person to sell, ofiei or attempt to sell or supply any preparation or medicine for the prevention, alleviation, or cure of human ailments, unless it shall be accompanied by the formula of preparation, which shall be accurately stated and legibly printed upon the label of the bottle or package immediately containing the preparation or medicine. .This clause shall not apply when (1) any such preparation or medicine is supplied on a prescription given by a duly registered medical practitioner, or (2) to any person who applies to and proves to the satisfaction of any Judge of the Supreme Court that his preparation or medicine is an original and secret one, and that the quality, nature, and ascertained properties of the components and of the composition itself are (a) not harmful to health, (6) not of a fraudulent nature, (c) that the preparation or medicine is of such a character as may have the effect claimed for it or may effect the purpose for which it was supplied, and (d) that it may with safety be intrusted to inexperienced and uninformed persons for the purpose of self-treat-ment. 3. To make it unlawful for any person in advertising any medicine, preparation, or appliance as above to unwarrantably use the name of any medical man or false title, such as " Dr. 's Patent Cure," or the name of any person which would convey a wrong impression. 4. To make it unlawful for any person other than a duly registered medical practitioner or qualified veterinary surgeon to sell or supply any appliance or preparation which may be used for preventative purposes. " Appliance " or " preparation " to be denned by regulation gazetted. That this Committee desires to place on record its appreciation of the work so well and ably done by the Chairman (Mr. J. A. Hanan) during the taking of evidence and deliberations of the Committee; and this Committee also desires to thank the Chairman for his painstaking labours in haying brought out all the points of value in connection with the Committee's labours. Bth October, 1907. J - A " Hanan ' Chairman.

II