jii April, 1910.] ^larketing and Export of Fruit, Plants, &^c. 197 



Health Act. — Often, when inspecting at the various wharves, mar- 

 kets, shopsi, &c., officers are called upon to reject consignments of fruit 

 which, although not affected with anv of the scheduled diseases under the 

 Vegetation Diseases Act, may be so over-ripe or in such a condition as to 

 be unfit for human consumption. Until recently, under such circum- 

 stances, officers, for want of the necessary authority, were unable to con- 



•demn such goods, and the services of an officer of the Department of 

 Public Health had to be requisitioned. The Board of Health therefore, 

 some three years ago, agreed to appoint certain officers of this Branch 

 as Inspectors under the Health Act and Pure Foods Act. These officers 



.may now condemn any over-ripe or unsound consignment, as being unfit 

 for human consumption. 



Commerce Act. — This Act, which came into force on ist October, 1906, 

 was introduced for the purpose of compelling exporters to indicate in the 

 trade description applied to packages, certain particulars in connexion 

 with the contained goods. Briefly put, this Act demands that, as a pack- 

 age is marked, the contents shall agree with such marking. At the same 

 time, it should be observed, the details of such marking are not left to the 

 whim or fancy of the exporter, but are all set out in the Regulations to 

 the Act, and are also shown in a sub.sequent paragraph of this article. 



During the year 1909 the work of inspecting imported seeds and plants 

 under the provisions of the import regulations of this Act was handed over 

 to this Branch. The information as to what is required when importing 

 seeds and plants will also be found in this article. 



Useful Hints. 

 In order to avoid infringements against the provisions of the Acts men- 

 rtioned, the following points should be observed by producers and merchants 

 when exporting, importing, or locallv selling fruit, plants or vegetables: — 



1. When exporting fruit, plants, &c., to other States the exporter 

 ;'?hould comply with the following : — 



{a) Pack nothing but sound produce, free from disease, damage or 

 decay. 



{b) Use new cases or bags. 



{c) Stencil name and address clearly and legiblv on cases. 



id) If forwarding to South Australia or Tasmaiiia. see that cases 

 are of the standard sizes required in those States. 



Note. — The standard sizes of cases under the Victorian, South Aus- 

 tralian, and Tasman,ian Acts are as shown hereafter. The 

 other States have not vet legislated in this direction. 



{e) Notify the Senior Inspector, Fru,it Exports and Imports, 

 Government Cool Stores, Melbourne, before bringing pro- 

 duce to wharf or rail for shipment. 



(/) See that produce is inspected and export certificate issued prior 

 to shipment. 



{g) Forward certificate imniediatelv to agent or official inspector at 

 port of destination. 



2. When exporting fruit (dried or fresh), to New Zealand or other 

 outside ports, under the Commerce Act, the exporter should observe the 

 following : — 



{a) One clear working day prior to shipment of goods, Fonns 2 and 

 5 should be obtained, filled in and given to the inspector. 

 The first, which is printed on blue paper, is a notice to 



