JAPAN’S GIFT

Hokitika Guardian, 4 December 1929, Page 7

JAPAN’S GIFT

CHERRY TREES FOR AUSTRALIA. GOVERNMENT’S DILEMMA. SYDNEY, Nov. 21. TFie gift of the Japanese Prince, Takamatsu, of 6000 ciierry trees to the Commonwealth placed the Government iii an extraordinary dilemma, which has now been overcome. \\ hen tlie gift was offered the Prime Minister , (Mr Scullin) as a tribute to the reception the Prince received when he visited Australia with the. Japanese .training .squadron, it was grate.ullv by him. Then he w..s t Id that the importation of cherry trees from Japan was strictly prohibited, and for a time it appeared ,as though an awkward international problem would surround tlu/se'cherty trees. It seemed that the gilt was likely to prove as embarassing as the white elephant presented by another Eastern potentate. However, difficulties have been overcome, for it. has been arranged that the cherry. trees shall be placed in quarantine for twelve months before they are permitted to grace the hills surrounding, the capital, Canberra, and during that period they will he thoroughly fumigated. This has not satisfied the orchardists, who fear greatly the introduction of wha& is known as fireldight, hut an assurance

has been given that the trees, when they arc planted, will he quite harmless.

It has been decreed for some years now that cherry trees may not he imported from any country where liro•'blight is known to exist. Fircblight has been a particularly disastrous infliction in the United Stales and Canada, and it is known to exist in .Manchuria. China, and Japan, where it is supoosed to have originated. The Commonwealth authorities are particularly anxious to keep the pest out of Australia. It is already in New Zealand, particularly in the North .Island, but .-iiistra I ill has not had a visit from fho pest so far. And it does not want one. The pest chiefly attacks the hawthorn, as Now •Zealand knows well, for there was once a campaign there to cut down all the hawthorn hedges. Pear trees, apple trees, and other fruit trees have been attacked.

The Superintendent of i lorticulturo in Victoria said the other day that if fireblight, obtained a hold in Australia it would prove a calamity to the apple and pear growers. Every possible care to r, re vent its introduction had been taken All cultivated trees wore liable to attack and were more susceptible than the wild varieties. One danger that might not have been thought o. bv,the Government when accepting the cherry trees is that it affords a precedent for nurserymen, who might wish to introduce prohibited trees and plants. For examole, citrus trees are

not allowed to he imported from countries where the citrus canker is known to exist. However, the Federal Government authorities have always keen ultra careful in such matters, as witness tuc way in which New Zealand potatoes are kept cut of the Commonwealth even when there is a something approaching a faming in potatoes here. One would have thought that the authorities have eased the regulations in t.iis regard at least, lint there has been no im-linat imi to relent- in the least, and Australians continue to pay an commas prue f.r this necessity.