ORCHARD CONTROL.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 170, 20 July 1928, Page 14

ORCHARD CONTROL.

POWER OF INSPECTION.

LEGISLATION INTRODUCED,

I!y THe;:rapii— Press Association.)

WE3LLJNGTON, Thursday. The second reading of the Orchard and Garden Diseases Bill was moved in the House this evening by the Minister of Agriculture, The Hon. O. J. Hawken. He said the measure consolidated the existing law, which wa« in no way interfered with. The Minister said no new inspectors had been appointed in recent years, but skilled advice was necessary to most orchardists. Advice regarding trees and their pests was absolutely necessary, and what had been done in this respect had helped the industry greatly. Disease-infected fruit was rarely found on the market now. New Zealand fruit was as clean as fruit in any part of the world, due largely to the operation of this Act. Altogether 2HO acres were put down in orchards last year, making a total of 30,000 acres now in fruit trees. The orchards employed about 6000 persons. It was not intended to compel the registration of small gardens, but there must be power to inspect all places where fruit trees are grown. The second reading was agreed to on the voices.