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THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
Mr, Melhuish thought a ground work, in the shape of such an examination, 
an absolute necessity. 
Mr. Sowter pointed out that in the absence of an Act of Parliament in 
South Australia the examination could not be made compulsory. 
Mr. Ash intimated that the same difficulty applied to Tasmania. 
Mr. Blackett felt certain that the Legislatures of the various colonies 
would unhesitatingly pass the desired Acts when the unanimity of the Conference 
was made known. The difficulty might easily be overcome by a refusal to 
apprentice other than those who had passed such an examination. 
The amendment became the motion, and was carried unanimously. 
The Apprenticeship. 
Mr. Blackett then moved the adoption of the second subsidiary clause — 
(b) “ Apprenticeship for four years.” 
In Victoria the term was four years, which was quite short enough. In 
Queensland it was three years. In England no apprenticeship was required, but 
it had to be shown, before a candidate could go up for examination, that he 
had served three years in learning the art of dispensing, and the general 
technical work connected with practical pharmacy. In France it was only three 
years, but the training was very severe there, apprenticeship being followed by 
three years in a college of pharmacy, and it was fully eight or nine years 
before a man could really become a pharmacien premiere. The greatest and 
most illustrious names known in connection with pharmacy were men schooled 
in France. The French system was a splendid one. It made a man a perfect 
pharmacist, ranking as a doctor of medicine. Their object should be to keep 
up this ideal standard. 
Mr. Melhuish seconded the motion, adding that the term of four years had been 
provided for in the New South Wales Bill of Incorporation Act. 
Mr. Pond said that, although he agreed with the motion, he failed to see how 
it was going to take effect in New Zealand, where the Masters and Apprentices 
Act released apprentices at the age of 19 years, except in cases where premiums 
over £30 had been paid. He quoted from the Act 165, section 9 : — “ Any house- 
holder, tradesman, farmer, or other person exercising any trade or manual class 
may take by indenture in writing any apprentice above the age of 12 years to 
be instructed in such trade, art, and occupation for a term which shall expire 
when such apprentice shall attain the age of 19 years.’' He therefore moved 
as an amendment — “ That an apprenticeship of three years be served in an open 
shop for the compounding and dispensing of medicines.” It would act as a 
certain safeguard for the various Boards. 
Mr. Potts seconded this amendment, not because he was in favour of it, 
but on account of Queensland having an Act with three years’ apprenticeship* 
In a scattered country like Queensland shops were at enormous distances from 
the head centre. Brisbane had a College of Pharmacy, but boys serving appren- 
ticeship in the inland towns had no means of acquiring a proper knowledge of 
the business. Three years was ample for the towns he alluded to, after which 
candidates should be compelled to attend the College at Brisbane for 12 months. 
Other colonies, doubtless, were placed in a similar position. 
Mr. Mayne intimated that New South Wales would be happy to recognise 
the term of three years, as far as Queensland was concerned, although they were 
adopting four years. 
Mr. Pond — The four years’ term would shut Queensland out. 
Mr. Blackett — By altering it to three years they would shut out Victoria. It 
resolved itself into the question whether it would not be better for Queensland 
