WHITE BUTTERFLY MENACE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 95, 22 March 1939, Page 9

WHITE BUTTERFLY MENACE

AUSTRA LI AN SAFEG U ARD. NEW ZEALAND EXPORTSPer Press Association. WELLINGTON, March 22. “For some time past Sydney merchants have bein ujxjruting in New Zealand in the purchase of various classes of vegetables to meet the shortage occasioned by the drought conditions in Australia,” stated the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. W. Lee Martin), iri an interview to-day. “At- the request'ol the Federal authorities regulations have been gazetted in New Zealand prohibiting the ex port, of vegetables to Australia, except with the consent of the Minister of Cu-toms,” continued Mr Martin. “These regulations were designed mainly to ensure that any vegetables shipped were properly packed in new containers. The Federal authorities have now become concerned with the possibility of the white butterfly being introduced through such importations, and I am in receipt of information that regulations are to be gazetted immediately, requiring that all lettuce and vegetables belonging to the cabbage and turnip family intended for export from New Zealand to Australia must be accompanied by a certificate that such produce has been produced in a district free from the white butterfly. and that the produce has been rigidly inspected for the presence of the white butterfly caterpillar. It will lie necessary, therefore, for merchants to obtain such a certificate before any vegetables of the above types are exported. It will be appreciated that, the strict enforcement of the requirements of the Federal authorities means a virtual embargo on the export of cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, hrussels sprouts swedes, turnips, etc., to Australia. hut it is hoped that some arrangements mav be made whereby export will be allowed at certain tinies of the year without undue restriction. If. is to he regretted that this trade, which has assumed sonic promise during recent months, will now bo jeopardised. but it, is recognised that the Australian authorities are desirous of avoiding Dm introduction of the white butterfly if at. all possible.”