THE CODLIN MOTH BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9082, 16 June 1888, Page 3

THE CODLIN MOTH BILL.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Please give me space in your widely-read journal to say a few words on the Codlin Moth Bill before Pra-liament. The head of the Government ssid that ifa was the desire of the fruit-growers fchabfchey should pass such a Bill. The p<>oplo show through your paper that such is not the case. Mr. Hobbs said that they must protect the fruit industry. The action thab the Government and members are taking in the matter will crush not only the fruitgrowers, but also the nurserymen, a3 the young trees they grow for sale will be dead stock on their hand, and the public will have to pay a higher price for their fruit before long. You were right in saying that it was not the fruit-growere who brought the codlin moth to the colony ; it was through the Government not seeing that no diseased fruit v/as imported. Let them now set to work, and allow no unsound fruit to be landed, and lay a penalty upon anyone found disposing of diseased fruit. This done, then fruit-growers would soon master the pest. But our legislators prove to the people—aye, to the world—that they all need to go to school again that they may learn the basis of politioal economy, so that they may rule over a contented people. The largest portion of them are advocates of the property tax, because they do not have to paj r a shilling towards it. What a Legislature ! But it is the people's fault, and we wonder that people won't come to New Zealand.—l am, &c., Pukekohe Valley. A. McDonald.