ARSENICAL POISONING 279 



elusion that the report was not in accordance with the weight 

 of evidence laid before the Committee. 



By the Finance Act of 1900 the Beer Duty was increased 

 by another shilling per barrel for one year, and by successive 

 Finance Acts this was continued until 1907, when it was 

 made permanent. The Finance Act, 1901, put an import 

 duty on sugar, glucose, saccharin and all other forms of sugar. 

 This duty was imposed to help pay the cost of the South 

 African War, but incidentally it gave a slight benefit to 

 malting barley. It was the first 'time that barley and hop 

 growers had had anything to thank any Government for, 

 and the benefit conferred was unintentional. It was reduced 

 by one-half in 1908. 



1900-1901. 



Towards the end of 1900 a terrible epidemic, which caused 

 many deaths and much serious sickness, occurred, chiefly 

 in the North of England, especially in Manchester and the 

 surrounding district. Nearly 4000 cases were reported, but 

 the number of fatalities directly and indirectly due to it was 

 never definitely stated. It was soon found to be due to the 

 presence of arsenic in beer, thus giving an early and sinister 

 emphasis to Mr. Read's Minority Report. 



It is seldom that when a minority of one takes up such an 

 uncompromising attitude he so soon becomes justified. 



In December, 1900, the Council appointed a Special Com- 

 mittee to inquire into the beer question, and to ascertain 

 what legislative changes it was practicable to suggest for the 

 benefit of agriculture and the general community. Mr. Read 

 was elected Chairman of this Committee, which proceeded 

 without loss of time to arrange for a number of special public 

 meetings in all parts of the country with the object of urging 

 the Government to deal with the subject in the next session. 

 The Government was asked to receive a deputation, but on 

 llth January, 1901, the Cabinet appointed a Royal Com- 

 mission to inquire into the circumstances of arsenical poisoning, 

 and, incidentally, to put off the demand for legislation while 



