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In the above cases so far as shops or licensed stalls in market streets were concerned
improvement was effected, although even in the more regular businesses constant supervision
is required to ensure strict compliance with the Orders. The itinerant vendors are more
difficult to supervise; often it is only at long intervals and at irregular times that these
vendors are found trading; the personnel and pitch and round vary from day to day. It
would facilitate efficient administration of the Orders if all such vendors were required to
have their names and addresses exhibited on the barrows.
In the early part of the year 1930, legal proceedings were instituted against a shopkeeper
in the Borough for breach of the Merchandise Marks (Imported Goods) No. 3 Order. In
this case batches of imported apples, bearing no indication of the countries of origin, were
exposed for sale in the window and round the interior of the shop. The Manager of the retail
shop was verbally warned by the Inspector, and a written communication drawing attention
to the breach of the Order was sent by the Medical Officer of Health to the proprietor of
the establishment. As the breach continued, samples of the imported apples were taken from
five different batches of the fruit, and particulars of the marks on the packages, invoices
and consignment notes were obtained. Following this action information was laid before a
magistrate at the Police Court, and after several hearings the defendants were convicted
and fined £5 and five guineas costs.*
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1926.
This Act provides for the grading and marking of agricultural produce and gives power
to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries by regulations to prescribe "designations"
and " marks " to indicate the quality of such produce.
The following Regulations have been made under the Act :—
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) (General) Regulations, 1928.
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) (Eggs) Regulations, 1928 (Revoked,
March, 1930).
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) (Apples and Pears) Regulations, 1929.
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) (Tomatoes and Cucumbers)
Regulations, 1929.
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) (Wheat Flour) Regulations, 1929.
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) (Beef) Regulations, 1929.
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) (Malt Flour and Malt Extract)
Regulations, 1929.
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) (Potatoes) Regulations, 1929.
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) (Broccoli) Regulations, 1930.
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) (Eggs) Regulations, 1930.
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) (Strawberries) Regulations, 1930.
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) (Cherries) Regulations, 1930.
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) (Canned Fruits, Peas and Beans)
Regulations, 1930.
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) (Cider) Regulations, 1930
Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) (Dressed Poultry) Regulations, 1930
Better Beef.
An Inter-Departmental Committee reports that the grading and marking of beef has been
a success in London. The report states that the scheme attracted to London a better average
* Reference to this case was included in the Annual Report for 1929—the breach having
been committed in that year.