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The Bill, if adopted, would repeal the Sale of Food and
Drugs Act, 1875, the Sale of Food and Drugs Act Amendment
Act, 1879; and the Margarine Act, 1887. It is to be hoped that
it will pass, as it will remove many difficulties which now exist
in carrying out these Acts.
Penalties. Sec. 3 provides for a penalty not exceeding £10 for
a first offence; not less than £5 and not exceeding £50 for a
second offence; and for a third or subsequent offence not less than
£20 nor exceeding £100, or, in the discretion of the magistrate,
three months' imprisonment with or without hard labour.
Existing legislation provides only for a penalty not exceeding
£20, and in many cases fines of only a few shillings have been
inflicted.
Sec. 4 provides that after a first offence the Court may order
a notice of the conviction to be affixed to the premises in such
manner and for such period as may be determined.
By Sec. 10 it is proposed to render it an offence to be in
possession of an adulterated article with intent to sell.
Sec. 11 provides for the prohibition of importation of
adulterated articles.
Sec. 19 provides that a warranty given by a person not
resident in Great Britain or Ireland shall not be a good defence.
Sec. 24 would empower an Inspector to seize or procure any
sample of food at the place of delivery, and for that purpose to
break open any parcel.
Sec. 26 provides that the sample shall be divided into four
parts, instead of, as at present, into three, provided the vendor
requires it. One of the samples would be delivered to the vendor,
one to the Public Analyst, and the other two retained by the
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