DANGER TO THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12066, 9 September 1902, Page 5

DANGER TO THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

—<» —- NEED FOR LEGISLATION. [BV TELEGRAPH. — SPECIAL COBBESPOSDENT.] Wellixctox, Monday. It is claimed by soma importers that the Orchard and Garden Pests Act now in existence being only operative against imported fruit allows fruit from the Cook Islands, recently annexed, to be landed in New Zealand ports absolutely without examination instead of being subjected to inspection. The Post made inquiries on this point and finds that Mr. Kirk, the Government biologist, brought the matter up some time ago for the consideration of the authorities. As there certainly does seem to bo a doubt on tho subject, it becomes imperative that step? should be immediately taken to clear away the uncertainty, as not only is the red scale plentiful in the Cook Island", and many shipments therefrom have had to be fumigated, but the dread fruit fly is also to be found there, and several lines of fruit from these islands have on this account been burnt on arrival here. It mar be stated that bad as the eodlin moth is, it would be a trifle compared with the ravages that would be caused, at any rate, in tho northern portions of the colony, should the fruit Hy become established, for it attacks inmost all varieties of fruit, as will bo seen by glance at the following varieties which, en arriving from Australia and the. islands, have been burnt on account of the presence if the maggot of this insect:.—Oranges, mandarins, bananas, tomatoes and stone fruit of all descriptions. It has also been found occasionally even in lemons and pip fruit, so that unless steps are taken to rigorously exclude the pest there is little doubt that ore many years are past the fruit industry of Auckland and Hawke's Bay will be .seriously j threatened.