Sessional_Paper_1898 — Page 517

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Have you examined the China Sugar Refinery spirit?—Yes.

If so, what is your opinion of its quality?—I think its quality is good.

Do you think it advisable to set up standards for the amounts of impurities in whiskey?-No, such an attempt has been made in Switzerland, but their standards exclude some high class malt whiskies an I admit all the patent-still whiskies.

Do you consider your method of testing sufficiently severe ?-Yes, I test each sample for amounts of alcohol, acid, solid matter, and higher alcohols, and apply qua- litative tests for the presence of poisonous metals, basic nitrogenous substances, and for any likely impurity.

Do you think that any impurities in these cheap spirits have escaped your notice? -No.

Do you consider there are any grounds for the suggestion that a good deal of bad liquor is sold in this Colony?—No. A number of people have mentioned to me that there is a lot of bad stuff sold, and I have asked them if they have tried it themselves, and they have replied, "We should not think of drinking the poison." I think it is a mere opinion. No facts have been brought under my notice to support such an opinion. Is there not a supposition that a good deal of fiery liquor is made on the Continent and sent abroad?-There is such a supposition.

Do you think that a good deal of fiery liquor is shipped to the West Coast of Africa?—No, some liquor sent there has been examined in recent years and it has been found to be of good quality.

Do you consider that selling Highland whiskey "made in Germany," when whiskey is asked for, is a breach of the Food and Drugs Ordinance, No. 18 of 1896?-No; be- cause the term "Highland" can be considered in various ways. It may mean a similar whiskey to that which is drunk in the Highlands. This cheap whiskey resembles chemically a good deal of the whiskey manufactured and drunk in the Highlands.

And the "made in Germany" will save the marks?—Yes. A man has no pro- prietary right to the term "Highland."

Mr. FRANCIS.-He is not infringing any proprietary right, that is perfectly trne, but is he selling that which he has been asked for ?--I consider that the vendor sells to the man a whiskey which is identical as regards physical and chemical characteristics with much of the whiskey sold in the Highlands.

The CHAIRMAN.—I take it that the "made in Germany" shows the origin.

Mr. FRANCIS.—If it is called "Highland whiskey" and is labelled "made in Ger- many" there is no deception.

The CHAIRMAN.-That is what I mean.

Mr. BROWNE.--I would point out that the term "Highland" is probably used only to refer to a whiskey of a particular flavour, and if a man in Germany can make whiskey of that particular flavour I think it is whiskey of the Scotch type.

Mr. FRANCIS. From what material was the original Scotch whiskey manufactured? -From malt or malt and grain.

From what grain?-From barley usually. Scotch whiskey, by which of course I refer to genuine Scotch whiskey of the old type, was made from malt, and distilled from a pot-still, but now frequently raw grain is used and the infusion is distilled from patent stills whereby the greater portion of the bye-products are removed.

No doubt, you would be inclined to say that the process of manufacture now is such that the term "Scotch whiskey" has ceased to have any special significance ?- Yes, it refers to whiskey of a certain flavour.