1920.] 



The Seeds Act, 1920. 



605 



first Order and made it applicable to all the principal kinds of 

 cereals, grasses, clovers, roots and vegetable seeds. It requires 

 that a declaration as to the percentage of germination and purity, 

 presence of injurious weeds and other specified particulars, shall 

 be made in writing to the purchaser at or before the time of sale 

 or delivery of the seed. 



This Order will remain in force during the forthcoming 

 (1920-21) season and until the Act comes into operation on the 

 1st August next. 



The main provisions of the new Act are as follows : — 



1. The Minister of Agriculture is empowered to make regula- 



tions for carrying the Act into effect, scheduling the kinds 

 of seeds to which the Act shall apply, laying down the 

 manner in which samples are to be taken and dealt with, 

 and any matter under the Act which is to be prescribed. 

 In dealing with an article which is subject to the changing 

 conditions of season and method of handling, as in the case of 

 seeds, any attempt to incorporate in the Act complete details of 

 the control to be exercised would greatly hinder efficient adminis- 

 tration. It is clearly desirable, therefore, that regulations should 

 be issued from time to time to keep the requirements in touch 

 with new conditions. 



The Act provides that the Minister shall consult with ' ' repre- 

 sentatives of the interests concerned " before making regulations, 

 and every regulation must be laid before each House of Parlia- 

 ment in the usual manner. 



The first set of Kegulations is now under consideration, and 

 will be issued as soon as possible. 



2. In the case of a sale of any seeds to which the Act applies 



and of any seed potatoes the seller must, at or before the 

 time of sale or delivery, make a statement to the pur- 

 chaser containing the prescribed particulars as to the 

 variety, purity and germination in the case of seeds, and 

 as to class, variety, size and dressing in the case of seed 

 potatoes. 



The particulars which it is proposed shall be given in the 

 case of a sale of seed potatoes are similar to those required 

 under the Seed Potatoes Order, 1918.* Seed potatoes are not 

 covered by the Testing of Seeds Order. Other seeds, such as 

 forest tree seeds and fibre flax seed, not included under the 

 Testing of Seeds Order, will be scheduled under the Act. 



* SeeJhislJournal, January, 1919, p. 1235. 



