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THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
Fifth Resolution — “ That the rapid increase in the trade of Proprietary 
Medicines and Secret Nostrums is antagonistic to the true interest of Pharmacy.” 
Inteechange of Ceetificates. 
Mr. Blackett intimated that he had been requested to take in hand the 
fourth resolution, dealing with the interchange of certificates. 
“ That, on adopting and giving effect to Resolution 1, the Examination 
Certificates shall be recognised by the Governing Bodies of the various Colonies.” 
It was the principal object of the Conference to bring about a clear 
understanding, which would pave the way for the long desired object — the recognition 
of a certificate throughout the Australasian colonies. It was the real, the main 
object for the meeting of the Conference, and if it were carried the 
labours of the delegates would do credit to the pharmaceutical world of Australasia. 
The certificates were to become exchangeable on the carrying into effect 
of the first resolution. If the Boards of the various colonies would remove any 
little difficulties that presented themselves, so that no friction could exist, and 
there could be no legal difficulties in the way, the object would be attained. Of 
course they should remember that the Conference could not over-ride the will of 
Parliament. As far as their Act and their powers in Victoria were concerned, they 
would do everything within the lines of their enactment to facilitate the exchange of 
certificates. Clause 4, sub-section 18, guided the Board, at the same time giving, 
them a good deal of latitude, which had to be exercised, of course, with great care 
in the interests of the students. Supposing they had an elaborate system of 
education — which was an expensive thing — and that system could not be carried 
out by the other colonies, they would have to be very careful in issuing 
certificates to keep them of equal value. When the sovereign mint stamp of 
pharmaceutical competency was put upon the certificates they would exchange. 
Australians, like their transatlantic cousins, the Americans, were likely to be 
a little impatient; but they should not expect to achieve the objects of the 
resolutions at once. 
Mr. Pond seconded the motion. It was a mere matter of reiteration, he 
said, to call attention to the hearty manner in which Victoria had dealt with the 
various matters connected with the Conference. Mr. Blackett had shown how 
the exchange of certificates could be brought to a successful issue by the accept- 
ance of the earlier resolutions. There was a little variation in the different Acts 
as regarded apprenticeship which wanted careful attention. In Queensland the 
four years’ term should be insisted upon, if only to keep in harmony with the 
other colonies. As long as they endeavoured to emulate Victoria, the exchange 
of certificates would be indeed a high honour. He urged the raising of the 
standard as vigorously as Mr. Blackett, and, as far as New Zealand was concerned, 
he could assure them they would have nothing to be ashamed of. 
In reply to Mr. Sowter, Mr. Blackett said that South Australia would be 
deprived of the privileges of reciprocity until a legislative enactment was brought 
into operation. The only way out of the difficulty would be the sending of the 
students to Victoria. 
Mr. Scammell was afraid of the expenditure involved. Students were now 
enabled to go through a course of Materia Medica, etc., at the South Australian 
University. 
Mr. Blackett said that many students came to Victoria from Adelaide 
before the University was established there, just as the students from Tasmania 
did now. 
Mr. Mayne said that, in his opinion, New South Wales had adopted the 
most liberal system at present existing. They recognised certificates issued, 
