GOVERNMENT NOT RESPONSIBLE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21945, 13 February 1946, Page 6

GOVERNMENT NOT RESPONSIBLE

D.D.T. SOLUTION PRICE AND STRENGTH brighter prospects INCREASED SUPPLIES Denial of all Government responsibility in limiting; the strength of D.D.T. solution or in fixing the present high price was made by the Minister of Supply. Mr. D. G. Sullivan, in a letter to the Gisborne Borough Council last night. The Minister made an observation to this effect in the course of his reply to a questionnaire sent to him by the council. His reply was as follows: { 1) Where is the D.D.T. powder Imported from— Australia or America? The D.D.T. powder imported into New Zealand last year was obtained in Australia. (2) Who imports D.D.T. and who licenses the imports? Are local bodies or firms entitled to D.D.T. solution or powder? •'Private commercial firms imported the D.D.T. under ordinary import licenses secured from the Customs Department and I understand that some six' licenses were issued. I am advised that an application to the local collector of customs for a license to import D.D.T. would be considered from any regular importer of chemicals. Profit Limited “(3) What are the initial costs of D.D.T. powder in New Zealand?

‘I am enclosing extracts from Hansard for last October when I gave figures in Parliament relating to the costs and margins. It is clear that the Price Tribunal allowed only normal trade mark-ups for the' D.D.T. solutions, and although it seems that the price is high compared with the American figures quoted at a recent meeting of your council and included in an earlier letter you addressed to me, the Price Tribunal must necessarily accept the landed costs of an imported commodity—its jurisdiction being limited to ensuring that the profit margins allowed on the initial costs are in accordance with its policy. There appears little doubt from information available that when the major manufacturers are able to provide substantial quantities of D.D.T. for civilian use as will be the case when the military forces no longer require their present heavy orders, D.D.T. will be available at prices considerably below those which were imported into New Zealand last year.

No Specification of Strength •‘(5) Who fixes the proportion of D.D.T. powder that can be mixed with the appropriate solution? “There is no authority in the Dominion which requires any 'specified solution to be sold. It is understood that when the major manufacturers market their product for general civilian distribution full details will be available with each bottle as to the quality, mixture, and the specific uses for which D.D.T. should or should not be used. Meanwhile, however, a special committee of the New Zealand Standards Institute is exam-

ining the question of formulating a local standard specification for the guidance of users of D.D.T., but further information will _ be necessary before the specifications can be finalised. The secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has advised me that a general bulletin will be issued shortly by the department on the efficiency of D.D.T.” Hoping For Results "I can appreciate the circumstances which have led your council to take a somewhat keen interest in D.D.T., which, as is popularly known, has been most effective m the war theatre as an insecticide. However. 1 would like to stress two points,” Mr. Sullivan went on. “First, the D.D.T. imported last year was secured by private “rms in the ordinary way and the Government was in no way responsible for the quality or price other than to ensure that the profit margin in the Dominion was reasonable.

“Secondly, it would appear that the properties and uses of D.D.T. will become more generally known when supplies become available from the major manufacturers.”

“I only hope that the publicity given will have the effect we desire and that we secure D.D.T. of a strength and availability at a reasonable price.” commented the Mayor, Mr N. H. Bull. “I can't see why if the Americans can use the solution we can’t,” he added. Mr. H. H. De Costa: Hear, hear. On the motion of Mr. Bull, the letter was received. Use With Care “D.D.T. is, of course, a poison and must be used with care. For this reason the department ’ advocates its use in as weak a solution as will be effective.” the Director-General of Health, Dr. M. IT. Watt, advised. “It is considered that the 2 per cent, solution of the pure substance is very effective in killing flies if used properly and will remain effective for a number of weeks. A 5 per cent, solution will remain effective for a longer period, but witli the increase m strength the risks involved in its use are slightly increased.

“It should be remembered that D.D.T. kills slowly. It has no knockdown effect and is useless if merely sprayed in the air of a room. It is best applied by means of a spray or small paint brush in places which are frequented by flies, such as window ledges, electric light shades and globes and electric light flex. Very successful results have been obtained in some places by spraying the entire walls and ceilings of the room, but this involves the use of proper spraying apparatus and requires more D.D.T. than is at present available. “Finally, I would stress that the fly nuisance can properly be overcome only by controlling fly-breeding,” the letter concluded. “If it’s good enough for American people to use 5 per cent, why can’t we?” Mr. De Cost’d asked in regard to this letter. “From what we have read 5 per cent, is quite harmless to human beings. but deadly to flies, as was illustrated at the freezing works here,” Mr. Bull commented. “We can only hope that when supplies do become more available that the authorities in their wisdom will see that we get a solution of a reasonable strength,” he added in moving that this letter be accepted, which was agreed to by the council.