18 F. B. GUTHRIE. 



shall ensure their competency. At present such a qualifica- 

 tion does not exist in Australia. In Victoria, where they 

 appear to possess the power of adapting themselves to 

 changing conditions to a greater degree than we do, and 

 to be able to recognize new requirements, a scheme has 

 been mooted for the granting of certificates, either by the 

 State or by a private corporation, of competency in analy- 

 tical work. 



In continental countries every one practicing as an 

 analyst is obliged to pass a State examination in chemistry. 

 In England, the disadvantages accruing to the absence of 

 any recognised qualification was severely felt many years 

 ago, when it was the custom for the Borough Councils to 

 appoint medical practitioners to act in the capacity of 

 analysts, and prosecutions were undertaken on their cer- 

 tificates in cases of adulteration of foods and drugs, etc. 

 In order to remedy this state of things, the Institute of 

 Chemistry was founded some 20 years ago by some of the 

 leading English chemists. Its object was to provide a 

 severe standard of examination which would ensure that 

 none but properly qualified men should be admitted into its 

 ranks. The value of this qualification is now firmly estab- 

 lished in Great Britain, and in the appointmment of public 

 analysts the possession of this qualification is becoming a 

 sine qua non. Examinations are also held by the Institute in 

 local centres, a matter of considerable convenience to 

 those who desire to qualify themselves but are debarred 

 by reason of distance from London. 



I would like to suggest that the State, as the largest and 

 most responsible employer locally of this class of labour, 

 should recognise this qualification. If the Public Service 

 Board agreed that they would regard qualification by the 

 Institute as an essential to any chemical appointment 

 made by them, the Institute of Chemistry would meet their 



