TOMATO-GROWING INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 301, 20 September 1928, Page 10

TOMATO-GROWING INDUSTRY

NO FEAR OF PESTS FROM COOK ISLANDS The importation of tomatoes from Rarotonga has given some concern to "rowers in New Zealand as to the possibility of the introduction of Island pests, notably the fruit fly, that may fasten themselves on New Zealand plants to the detriment and possible extinction ot the industry in the Dominion. . Judging from a statement the Minister in Charge of the Cook Islands (Hon. Sir Maui Pomare) made in the House of Representatives yesterday growers here have nothing to fear from importations from the Islands. Sir Maui Pomare said there was no disease in Cook Islands tomatoes. The fruit fly attacked only the ripe tomatoes, and as all the Rarotongan tomatoes were shipped in the green stage there was no danger of the introduction of the fruit fly to New Zealand from that source. He had been advised that the fruit was always rigidly examined by Government inspectors before shipment, and it was again rigidly examined here by Agricultural Department inspectors, but no fruit fly had been found in any shipment. There was absolutely no danger tiat the fly would come to New Zealand from Rarotonga. Moreover, if it did come to New Zealand by any chance, it was very problematical whether it could live in this country because the climate was too cold for it. "This fly,” he added, “is a tropical bird, and can only flourish there. It will he interesting to hon. members to know that New Zealand tomatoes are attacked by the following diseases:— Black-stripe (Bacillus Lathyri), Oedema ami hollow stem, late blight (Phytophtliora Infestinas), early blight (Alternaria Solum), tomato leaf spot (Septoria Lycopersici), leaf mould (Cladosporium Fiuvuin), and sleeping disease.” (Loud laughter.)