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New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13523, 22 August 1907, Page 3

The stringent regulations adopted in Victoria, South Australia, and West Australia, against, the introduction of the fruit fly is reported to be having a disastrous effect on the Queensland banana growing industry. In 1905 the exports of- bananas from Geraldton at this season of the year averaged 20.000 bunches a week, and if has fallen oil to 5000 bunches. In order that a certificate could be given that fruit- was free from the larvae of the fly the Queensland Government passed a regulation that no bananas should be exported unless the hunches had for one month been enveloped ir. it bag of stockinet or some other closely woven material. This is found to effectively check the ravages of the fly, but it at the same time checks the development of the fruit, the skin becoming pale from want of light, and the flesh becoming soft before it is ripe. • f ~..-■