BEETLE PEST MENACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22847, 30 September 1937, Page 8

BEETLE PEST MENACE

SAMOAN PLANTATIONS [THOUSANDS OF TREES SUFFER [from ottb own correspondent! . •/ APIA. Sept. 18 The copra trade, one of the three staple sources of revenue for planters in the Territory, is being affected owing to the destruction of trees by beetle. The spread of the pest is alarming and very few districts are free from it.

The pity is that no serious attempt is being made to combat the pest. At one time planters and natives were compelled to systematically destroy the beetles. Mondays were set apart for concerted action, and each native had to bring in a certain number of beetles or grubs or be fined. This plan worked well, millions of the pest were destroyed and good headway was made in the fight. Now there is no qompulsion and the beetle works its own will.

One of the plans for eradication was to make the price of admission to a picture show 100 beetles. The natives rose to the occasion and each week barrels full of the pest paid for the Samoans' entertainment. Then the inspectors were withdrawn and since then there has been no serious attempt to fight 'the nuisance. Thousands of trees rfre affected. „ Another factor contributing to a declining industry is failure to renew the trees on plantations. Very few trees are being planted. Even the natives are content to see one of the most useful species of tree—it will supply their every want, both in food and household material—gradually disappear while they are satisfied with European tinned foods and clothing. It' takes vears to bring a plantation into bearing, for a -tree does not commence to produce nuts under eight or 10 years.