ANTI-CODLIN CRUSADE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 155, 25 March 1908, Page 4

ANTI-CODLIN CRUSADE.

IS IT PROFITABLE?

LITTLE RESULT EXCEPT DEAR FRUIT. [by t TELEORAPh'.—SrECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] , . '. { Auckland, March 24. ■- A pessimistic view is taken by a'Riverhead ■fruit-grower (Mr. -Marslif of- the.efforts to fight tho codlin moth. The following correspondence on tho Orchard and Garden Pests Act has taken plaeo between that, gontlemali and Mr. .Massey, M.P., Leader of tho Opposition. Mr. Marslv wrote:—

. "\Vlien the Act was made law tho country was eyon then: swarming with codlin moth, so it was practically useless from'-tho start. It was ,at that ,' timo imagined -Jjy' exports that the moth could be stamped out by drastic treatment. Now, from a 'lifelong. study of the subject,,l:come to t-lio following conclusions:— I This villainous insect not only lives ill tho orchards,' but breeds in bush trees, in scrub, in.tufts of ,grass ; ;in hedges, in rubbish heaps—is übiquitous, in fact. If a thousand tons of moth or maggots of .tho moth were dumped down among us, not one more fruit- would bo "affected on- that account. It is admitted that if a settler neglccts his orchard entirely lie will get few sound apples, or pears. lf,*howover, lie goes through all the formula of tho Government; officials, ho perhaps may save somo, but is simply losing money by the cost of labour. Every man, therefore, docs tho best ho can under the • circumstances and conditions obtaining.' ; This Act causes everyone in'the .community to suffer, sinco fruit is so enormously dear. The grower is not the greatest sufferer; it is,the fruit-loving public on whom the' loss actually falls." ■

' In reply; /Mr. 1 .llassey writes; —"I. agree almost entirely with the opinions you havo expressed. Tho Agricultural Department has itself tried to keep an orchard clean of eodlin moth, and lias failed; and, until the i;omedy is discovered, legislation such as wo havo on our Statute Book is worso, than useless. It is .-harassing to tho settler, and is making fruit doarcr to the consumer. I am watching anxiously to sec whether "tho .insccts•■■which have been introduced will be any more effective than tho other remedies wliich have been tried." •