DISEASE IN FRUIT CROPS.

Auckland Star, Issue 17, 21 January 1932, Page 19

DISEASE IN FRUIT CROPS.

IMPORTATION BLAMED. CANTERBURY GROWERS' VIEWS. That importation of fruit from Australia is responsible for disease in New Zealand orchards was the contention of members of the Christchurch Tomato and Stone Fruit Growers' Association at its meeting. It was decided on the motion of Mr. C. 15. Pope to draw the attention of the Minister of Agriculture to the subject, and to urge upon him the necessity for the prohibition of Australian fruit imports. Mr. Pope said that if importation were allowed to continue the position would become serious. The secretary (Mr. H. Firman) said that there was only one insect disease —the peach moth—and one fungus that was indigenous to New Zealand. All other diseases had come from North America, Australia and Great Britain. New Zealand trees had been comparatively free from disease when grown from seed, but when transport was speeded up and fruit carriage became easier disease fruit was brought into the Dominion from Australia. The fruit in the Commonwealth had bccome diseased through American imports. There were 400 diseases alone which affcctcd the apple in New Zealand. Tlirips had appeared again at Governor's Bay, said Mr. F. J. Tapley. The pests had been bad on other occasions, but never as bad as they were at present. The bluegum trees had been affected. Mr. Tapley cited as an example of the rate at which disease was spreading in New Zealand the fact that, in a year, cabbago moth had spread from Hawke's Bay to Wellington.