KEEPING OUT PESTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21221, 30 December 1930, Page 9

KEEPING OUT PESTS.

STRICT QUARANTINE. LETHARGIC OUTLOOK. Some pertinent remarks about the need for strict quarantine regulations if New Zealand is to be kept free from further importations of noxious insects and diseases .are made by Dr D. Miller, ento-i mologist at the Cawthron Institute, Nel- > son, m the report prepared by him for the Department of Scientific and Indus-' r trial Research on his return from his ' recent world tour.

_ Erom my observations abroad,” savs Dr Miller, I am more convinced than ever that the development of a practicable system to restrict injurious insects and diseases from entering New Zealand should be seriously considered. No doubt, m •?V r Bcographic isolation that is responsible for the prevailing lethargic nutlook on the subject, even in the face of past experiences, and while every year we have evidence of the - way and means by which noxious insects are able, and do actually, reach our shores. ' “Though there exists qt present a system for the, protection from chance Introductions of noxious insects and diseases of domestic, animals and horticultural and. agricultural crops, it is quite inadefiuate for the purpose for which it is ‘ established; further, it affords no protection whatsoever to our exotic forests and plantations; which remain in their present state of comparative freedom from depredations through chance more than anything else. . • ‘lt is not disputed that no "measures can be formulated by which all insects and diseases .would 'be prevented fronv entering a country; blit every effort should be made to give the maximum measure of protection possible, and in this a practicable system of quarantine and inspection would play an important and effeo tive part. The operation of such a system. requiring the services of a reliable ’ staff and involving considerable expense, would be justified/’