FIREBLIGHT

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 72, 18 December 1928, Page 3

FIREBLIGHT

• ERADICATION OF HAWTHORN IN WAIRARAPA FARMERS’ UNION TO BE APPROACHED Dominion Special Service. Masterton, December 17. Agreeing that either hawthorn or orchards must go, a largely attended meeting of Wairarapa orehardists to-night decided to approach the Farmers’ Union with a view to gaining its consent for the eradication of hawthorn, and also to set up a committee to have full powers to approach the prime Minister and Mnister of Agriculture on the question of fireblight areas and to do anything that it might consider to be in the best interests of Wairarapa fruitgrowers. The meeting was convened by the Smallholders’ Association, Mr. L. Robinson presiding, while Mr. J. N. Whelan, Government orchard inspector, was in attendance. Mr. Whelan briefly addressed the meeting, describing the fireblight disease, its characteristics and the method of dealing with it, and in reply to a question he stated that in nine years the disease had spread over the North Island. If it once got over Cook Strait into Nelson incalculable damage would be done. Proceeding, Mr. Whelan said the only way to get jurisdiction to eradicate hawthorn was to declare a fireblight area,, and it was a question whether there was enough fruit grown commercially in the district to warrant that being done. It would be necessary to have the backing of all local bodies if it were to be accomplished, especially the Farmers’ Union. In the discussion that followed several members emphatically stated that either hawthorn or orchards would have to go. and replying to a question Mr. Whelan said that it was almost hopeless attempting to grow fruit in areas in which hawthorn grew. Mr. W. A. Tate, in addressing the meeting, pointed out that the question affected the whole fruitgrowing industry of New Zealand and a parochial view, he insisted, should not be taken. It seemed that the Farmers’ Union was the crux of the whole position, and he suggested that the meeting should take preliminary steps in the matter of approaching that body with a view of obtaining its assistance. It would be difficult to get the Department to act in the matter without assistance from the union. Mr. E. Hale contended that the question was a national one and should be met by legislation. As far as the Wairarapa was conerned. this was one of the finest fruitgrowing districts in New Zealand, and urgent steps for the eradication of hawthorn were required. Replying to Mr. F. Norris, Mr. Whelan said he did not think it possible that the whole of the Wairarapa would be declared a fireblight area, and in reply to Mr. Tate he said that in parts of the North Island where hawthorn had pot been eradicated the tight against fireblight had been given up. Mr. Tate: Well, my advice is that where there is hawthorn don’t try to "row fruit. In a final appeal Mr. A. Broadbent urged that any action taken should be from a united Wairarapa body, and he moved that a committee be set up to have full powers to act in the best .interests of fruitgrowers for the eradication of the hawthorn, mid on the motion of Mr. Anderson the meeting also decided to form a deputation to wait on the Farmers’ Union.