View report page

188
SANITARY LEGISLATION.
White Phosphorous Matches Prohibition Act, 1908.
8 Edw. 7, Cap. 42.
" The object of this statute, which was introduced into the House of
Commons by the Home Secretary, is to enable the Government to adhere
to a convention which was approved at an International Conference on
Labour Regulation, held at Berne in September, 1906. That convention
—agreeing to prohibit the manufacture, importation, and sale of matches
that contain white phosphorous—was signed at the time by the representatives
of Germany, Denmark, France, Italy,. Luxembourg, the Netherlands,
and Switzerland; but His Majesty's Government was not then able
to agree to the prohibition, for reasons explained in a memorandum
(Cd. 3271) laid before Parliament in 1906.
"For the better protection from necrosis of persons employed in
factories where white phosphorous is used, it has recently been found
necessary either to impose regulations more stringent than those hitherto
in force, or to prohibit the use of white phosphorous altogether. After
consultation with manufacturers, the latter course has been adopted, and
with it follows, likewise, the prohibition of importation of such matches.
"White phosphorous is not used in the manufacture of matches which
strike only on a prepared substance. Substitutes for white phosphorous
in the manufacture of "strike-anywhere" matches are in use, but are
patented. By arrangement with the holders of the only patents which, to
the knowledge of the Home Office, are being used in the industry in the
United Kingdom, Section 4 has been inserted in the Act, making those
patents available, on reasonable terms, to all manufacturers." (Paterson's
Practical Statutes.)
Children Act, 1908. See also page (20). 8 Edw. 7, Cap. 67.
"This statute, while to a large extent consolidating—for it repeals and
re-enacts the whole of no less than twenty-one Acts, as well as great
part of many others—at the same time effects important amendments in
the existing law. It deals with the protection of infants, children, and