RESEARCH WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21462, 8 April 1933, Page 13

RESEARCH WORK

CAWTHIiON INSTITUTE DANGER OF CESSATION DIRE LACK OF FUNDS A PROFESSOR'S CONCERN The opinion that it would be national calamity" if the entomological department oT the Cawthron Institute, at Nelson were closed down for lack of funds was expressed by Dr. W. B. Benham, professor of biology at Otago University, in an interview at Dunedin this week. Dr. Benham said he had been much perturbed to hear statements that the entomological work of the institute might have to be greatly curtailed, even if it were not compelled to stop altogether. Under Dr. It. J. Tillyard and ifiore recently under Dr. David % Miller, fine results had been attained in combating insect pests and in controlling noxious weeds, both of \yhich detracted from the value of products of the soil. This control of pests had been effected by the introduction of insects which would parasitise the harmful one, and the control of weeds by the introduction of some natural enemy. The work was arduous and needed to be long continued. The experiments might last for years before success was attained. Sufficient had however already been done to show that success had in several instances crowned the efforts of the entomologists. Immense Money Value Valuable work had already been done some years ago by the introduction of the aphelinus to control the woolly aphis which attacked apples, but it was necessary that continual supplies of this insect should be available. Dr. Miller was at present engaged upon the task of gorse, blackberry,' ragwort, bidi-bidi and other noxious weeds and of finding efficient natural enemies for the saw-fly in standing timber and for the destructive cabbage white butterfly. "Few people, even, I fear, among the farmers," said Dr. Benham, "appreciate to the full, the importance of this work, or recognise the money value of it; that is, the saving to the Dominion if these and other pests are circumvented as thes' can be in time. The common grass grub and the bettle to which it gives rise are responsible for an approximate annual loss to this country of £750,000. Livestock pests further reduce our agricultural revenue by an additional £500,000. Bisk of a Tragedy

"Thus we pay an annual tax of £1,250,000 to three insects, quite apart from the loss due to ravages of other pests. Maggot flies, for instance, result in an annual loss to the sheep industry of something like £400,000, while the bidi-bidi, by clinging to the fleeces of sheep,'reduce the annual value of the wool clip by £250,000, and, further, bracken fern occupies land which should carry sheep worth about £1,500,000." v ' Dr. Benham added that unless monetary help was given to the institute much'of the work done would be wasted and the money expended in experiments would be thrown away. Every branch of the agricultural and pastoral industries was concerned in supporting the work. It would be a tragedy if all the work of years, tending to the saving of large sums of money, should now go for nothing. It might be that certain other work of the institute which was not dependent on the care of living animals, and which could be taken up at any time, could be suspended, and the money expended on the work of the entomological department.