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THE AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACY. 
proposal (clause c) that the course of study should be based upon the coarse 
adopted by the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. Some of the speakers 
feared that great difficulty would be experienced in making the proposed 
curriculum compulsory ; but Mr. Blackett, who earnestly dwelt upon the 
necessity of this step, removed a misapprehension on the point by 
explaining that so long as there was a recognised teacher it did not 
require line buildings to constitute a school of pharmacy. In proposing clause 
d, dealing with the appointment of examiners, Mr. Blackett made what 
we consider a very good suggestion — that with the view of keeping them up to 
the mark, the period of election should be limited to twelve months ; and although 
the proposal was not included in the resolution as ultimately carried, the idea 
is, we think, worthy of consideration at the hands of the various Boards. An 
interesting discussion took place on the proposal that the examinations 
should be written and oral in every subject ; and eventually Mr. Blackett, 
while strongly insisting on the superiority of the oral examinations, gave way to 
the wish expressed that discretionary power should be left to the various Boards 
and Societies in the matter. There was no difference of opinion as regards 
the age (21) of candidates for the qualifying examination ; but the decision 
arrived at as regards oral examinations rendered necessary an alteration in the 
final resolution on the day’s programme, dealing with the subjects of examina- 
tion, which, as amended, was unanimously adopted. 
On the second day Mr. Huntsman reviewed at some length the various 
points of similarity and divergence in the pharmaceutical laws of the various 
colonies, and, after an animated discussion had brought to light many interesting 
facts in connection therewith, the desirability of uniformity was unanimously 
affirmed. The clauses in the Victorian Act being then accepted as a 
basis of discussion, Mr. Blackett raised the question as to the presence 
of medical men on a Pharmacy Board, and expressed the opinion, with 
which we confess our agreement, that medical men should have no more 
to do with Pharmacy Boards than chemists with Medical Boards. In deference 
to the wishes of Hew South Wales and Tasmania, the suggestion was not, 
however, proceeded with. The omission in the interpretation clause of the name 
of the colony recommended itself for adoption, and with the view of preventing 
any other than properly-registered chemists carrying on business as such, it was 
decided to adopt clause 10 of the Amended Pharmacy Act of Victoria, “ or words 
of similar import.” The necessity of uniformity in the laws relating to the sale 
and use of poisons and the regulations for their custody was next affirmed, Mr. 
Blackett entering a spirited protest against the words “where practicable;” and 
it was finally decided that a Poisons Bill should be drafted and circulated for 
discussion, and, on its adoption, that steps should be taken to obtain its accept- 
ance by the Legislatures of the various colonies. 
On the third day Mr. Blackett, in proposing the fourth resolution, dealing 
with the interchange of certificates, clearly pointed out that this entirely 
depended upon the effect given to the first resolution. The recognition of a 
certificate throughout the Australasian colonies was, he said, the main object for 
the meeting of the Conference, and if it were carried out the labours of the 
delegates would be creditable to the pharmaceutical world of Australasia. An 
effort was subsequently made by Mr. Potts to obtain the provisional registra- 
tion of certificates granted previous to the holding of the Conference, the 
immediate object being to remove the difficulties affecting two gentlemen with 
Victorian certificates at present in Queensland; but an earnest protest from 
Mr. Blackett induced the withdrawal of the motion. An excellent suggestion 
was then adopted, on the motion of Mr. Mayne, for the establishment of a 
