THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
417 
THE BANQUET. 
On the evening of Wednesday, the 27th, upwards of sixty gentlemen 
sat down to the inaugural banquet given by the Council of the 
Pharmaceutical Society to the delegates. The main hall, in which it was 
held, was tastefully decorated. The chair was occupied by Mr. Blackett, 
and amongst those present were— Professor Allen (Dean of the Faculty 
of Medicine), Professor Eernot (President of the Eoval Society), Baron 
Yon Mueller (President of the Geographical Society), Dr. Willmott (Presi- 
dent of the Victorian Branch of the British Medical Association), and 
Dr. Jamieson (President of the Medical Society). Mr. Blackett read apologies 
from Mr. Deakin (the Chief Secretary), Mr. Pearson (the Minister of Education), 
and Mr. G. Coppin, M.L.A., who were prevented from being present through 
pressure of Parliamentary business. Messrs. Mayne and Bozon, two of the New 
South Wales delegates, also intimated that they were unable to be present 
■owing to another engagement. 
After the usual loyal toasts had been duly honoured, Mr. F. S. 
Grimwade gave the toast of the evening, viz., “The Intercolonial Pharma- 
ceutical Conference.’’ He said it was the first time in the history of the 
colonies that such a conference had been inaugurated, and he thought the 
occasion was one that called forth special honour. The idea of holding the 
conference was first projected in November of last year, and, after a little 
opposition to it, the other colonies agreed to send representatives, and the 
result up to that evening appeared eminently satisfactory. Its main objects were 
in the direction of a uniform standard of education, and the interchange of 
certificates and general reciprocal policy, which were to lead up to federation. 
If the disnensing chemist was to occupy a first position, and be in the 
van of knowledge and scientific research, he would require to be a man of 
learning, and this, of course, necessitated a very long and systematic training. 
Unless the pharmacist of the future were able to rank m the first position, he 
would he almost useless to himself and the general community. One of the most 
important ends to he attained by the standard proposed was the mutual relations 
with the other colonies. And if the two propositions were carried, the confer- 
ence would certainly .have had a very valuable sitting, and would further be 
conferring indirect benefits upon the public at large. Similar conferences were 
by no means new to Europe, America, or Great Britain, where the twenty-third 
gathering of pharmacists was held only as far back as August last, and the 
September periodicals contained a very interesting account of its proceedings. 
The uniformity in education proposed would tend to stimulate pharmacy throughout 
Australasia, and would create for the profession much greater esteem and respect 
thau it commanded now. Its unanimity would also show that what little they 
could add towards the federation of the colonies would be heartily accomplished. 
(Applause.) 
Mr. Melhuish, replying on behalf of New South Wales, said he hoped the 
manifest good feeling between the various colonies would long exist, 
Mr. Pond (Auckland), on behalf of New Zealand, said he believed they were 
taking the correct stand in demanding the most thorough examination possible. The 
reciprocal policy propounded would do a deal towards bringing the colonies 
into unison, and to reaching federation, which would be so much required for 
protection in the future. 
Mr. Fairthorne (Launceston) was quite sure that the status of pharmacists 
would be improved in the results of the conference. Federation in pharmacy 
was most desirable. 
