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56
fail to convince anyone that the amendments remove the objections
to the Warranty defence. On the contrary, I am of opinion they
will increase the difficulties and cost of administration.
It appears that the only effectual remedy for the above evils
is the entire abolition of the Warranty defence. The public must be
protected from fraud, and the purveyor made wholly responsible
that the article sold by him shall be of the nature, substance and
quality demanded by the purchaser. The Local Authority should
not be required, in their duty of protecting the public, to go beyond
the actual local purveyor. It is the duty of the local dealers to see
that they are supplied from wholesale dealers with genuine articles ;
and if they are not so supplied, they have the usual remedy at law.
I am therefore of opinion that the Warranty defence should be
abolished, and I recommend the Borough Council to press this
view upon the Local Government Board and the Board of Agriculture.
I remain,
Yours obediently,
J. KING WARRY, M.D., D.P.H.,
Medical Officer of Health.