ISLAND TOMATOES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3889, 25 September 1928, Page 15

ISLAND TOMATOES.

FREE OF DISEASE. WELLINGTON, September 19. The importation of tomatoes from Rarotonga has given some concern to growers in New Zealand in respect of the possibility of the introduction of island pests, notably the fruit fly, that may fasten themselves on New Zealand plants to the detriment and possible extinction of the industry in the Dominion. Judging from a statement made by the Minister in Charge of the Cook Islands (Sir Maui Pomare) in the House of Representatives to-day, New Zealand growers have nothing to fear from the importations from the islands. Sir Maui said there was no disease in the Cook Islands tomatoes. The fruit fly attacked onl the ripe tomatoes, and as all the Rarotongan tomatoes were shipped in the green stage there was no danger of the introduction of the fruit fly to xxew Zealand from that source. He had been acivised that the fruit was always examined by Government inspectors before shipment, and it was again rigidly examined here by the Agricultural Department ex perts, but no fruit fly had been found in any shipment, so that there was absolutely no danger that the fly would come to New Zealand from Rarotonga. Moreover, if it did come to New Zealand by any chance, it was very problematical whether it could live in this country be cause the country was too cold for it. “ This fly,” added Sir Maui, “ is a tropical bird and can only flourish there. It will be interesting to hon. members to know that New Zealand tomatoes are attacked by the’' following diseases: — Black stripe (bacillus lathyri), oedema and hollow stem late blight (phytophthors infestinas), early blight (alternaria solani), tomato leaf spot (septoria lycopersici), leaf mould (cladosporiam fluvum), and sleeping disease.” —(Laughter.)