458 INTERNATIONAL LAWS FOR THE 



The regulation barrel prevents any attempt at adopting 

 these modern improvements. It is not desirable here to 

 prove what might be done, or how, but simply to call 

 attention to the fact that hundreds of articles of food, 

 now in great demand in this country, are neither guaranteed 

 in quantity, weight, or quality, except by the private marks 

 or names of the manufacturers. These prosper solely by 

 their own merits, and this very fact is always stimulating 

 new manufacturers to come forth with improvements ; the 

 consumers are, after all, the real judges, and the manu- 

 facturers either sink or swim by their decision, and con- 

 sequently use all possible means to improve their goods ; 

 but were they hampered by Government restrictions, as 

 the Scotch herring fishery now is, there is no doubt that 

 the age would not be so progressive as it is. 



Just for one instance take sardines, which are imported 

 to this country. There is no regulation size or weight of 

 package, but we, as consumers, soon find which are the 

 best brands, and a bad brand is soon exterminated. Had 

 they been guaranteed by the Government of the country 

 from which they are exported, and we, as consumers, had 

 found that the brand was not reliable, would the sale of 

 them have increased in the ratio that it has? Certainly 

 not, for the consumer would have had his doubts, and have 

 avoided purchasing in consequence. 



The complaints which have reached this country from 

 abroad, and which are yearly increasing, from merchants of 

 standing and experience, men of equal integrity with the 

 fishery and branding officers, cannot be overlooked, and 

 evidently prove that on the Continent the Government 

 brand is not so popular as it used to be, thus showing that 

 the former confidence in it is shaken, and that the time is 

 now arrived for a change to be made. 



