THE VINE DISEASE, PHYLLOXERS VASTATRIX.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10414, 12 April 1897, Page 3

THE VINE DISEASE, PHYLLOXERS VASTATRIX.

TO TUE KDITOK. Sir,—The notice in your paper of this date that the Gazette of the Ist inst. proclaims several localities in the district ol Auckland are infected with phylloxera, demands greater attcntiou thau I fear it is likely to get from the public generally. Very few people, 1 fancy, have read Mr. Bragato's reports, and the importance of establishing the vine industry is, I fenr, not sufficiently recognised. You are aware that a few of us have been struggling to get on, notwithstanding the incubus of the Government Agricultural Department. It would be to consider for 11 moment the 10th section of the Orchard and Garden Peats Act, a marvellous Act, which I think you would do well to notice. |Some months ago we re-published the whole Act.—Ed.] Tlii Act prescribes that after the publication ol euch a notice as you refer to, the owner or occupier " shall do all sucli things as are necessary, or as the Inspector deems necessary, iu order to eradicate or check the spread of the disease." Now, what strikes us at once here is, firstly, if neither the owner nor occupier do such things as are necessary, which of them is responsible! Secondly, what things are necessary ? It is remarkable, 1 think, that the Agricultural Department has given us no instructions, anywhere, as to what is necessary. Thirdly, things are to be done "as the luspector deems necessary." There are a great number of inspectors, aud we hare never been told of their viticulture experience or knowledge. Captain Broun is excepted from thtse remarks, for we all know he is a very capable aud learned man. Now, we have 110 assurance that these inspectors all think alike on this question, and who is to determine what things " are necessary!" It would appear that this Agricultural Department feels itself competent to determine by inspiration, as it were, this important question, whilst all Europe has been striving for many years to find a solution of it. You will find all through this singular Act that the same vague language is applied to the treatment of diseased trees of every description, and the " owuer ot occupier" 13 required to do " whatever U necessary." A magistrate having to decide au information for penalties would thus have to decide " what is necessary," and would, ol course, decliue to decide a point left absolutely vague by the Legislature. But the Act, all through, is of so vague aud ill' considered a character that it is scarcely worth while to study it. In tine, you will be doing a great benefit to our part of the colony especially, if you cau induce the authorities to take vigorous steps to stamp out the disease, and save our province froip a great calamity.—l am, etc., P. D. Fkxtoh. Jermyn-street, April 9,1897.