THOU SHALT NOT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17329, 18 November 1916, Page 7

THOU SHALT NOT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—State interference, State protection and State assistance are doubtless unchallengeable theoretically, but in practice the fallibility of such action and its excessive cost, judged by results achieved, is apt to make one question the wisdom of extending the State’s activities in unproductive directions. _ In my humble opinion, it is about time the number of State officials in the shape of inspectors and experts was restricted, instead of being augmented. TITe latest burden is the supervision necessitated under, the Orchard and Garden Diseases Act. Of course, if the law* is to he faithfully observed; additional inspectors or experts must be appointed, as the officials already engaged m the division; like their confreres in the poultry division, the apiary division, tlie stock division, and the Labour and Tourist Departments, are always fully and profitably occupied. What is going to be the ultimate result of this fresh inspection? Judged .from Jesuits in other departments, one is tempted to reply, nil. Tho immediate result is that whereas last senscu the small gardener could plant his patch of tomatoes at a. cost of ninepence per dozen plants, this year he lias to pay Is 3d per dozen. As a striking instance of the failure, of good intentions on the part of State inspection, may I mention the raid made by stock inspectors on, dairy herds. about ten years ago. The animals ,in quite a number of the herds were subjected to the tuberculin test, and a considerable number, including in come cases the most' productive members of the herd, were condemned, sent to Belfast, and slaughtered There was a sudden cessation of the peremptory, decree of the State official, and now no dairyman lives in daily dread of a visit from the stock inspector. Perhaps by this time, next year the orchardist and tomatogrower may be os free from molestation as tlie dairyman, or tho farmer whose land is infested with noxious weeds. The services of the army of state officials "will be needed all the same—there’s the nib. At the present juncture, when the great, war is raging, and all able-bodied men are required, either in a-productive capacity at home or ou active service, it seems particularly inopportune to increase the number of State non-producing officials.— I am, etc. • TAKE UP A LINK.