CODLIN MOTH PEST.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3120, 14 July 1892, Page 2

CODLIN MOTH PEST.

At the meeting of orchardists and others interested, to consider the question of recommending legislative measures to cope with tho codlin moth and other insect pests held at Hamilton, yesterday, thero were present: Mr L. O'Neill, President of the Waikato Horticultural Swciety, in the chair, and Messrs Dyer, Edgecumbe, Swarbrick, Saddon, Sare, Karl, von Sturmer, Sandefl, Hicks, Walton, Reed and Gwynne. The Secretary said the meeting had been called to consider the replies received by the Society in response to a circular asking for opinions as to the desirableness or otherwise of enacting legislation on this subject. A number of these were read, seven being decidedly in favour of legislation, four against, and several were undecided. The letter from the Otahuhu fruitgrowers' Association, with reference to the propoeud conference in Auckland was also read. This letter has already been published in these columns. Tho Secretary also gave a orief account of the legislative means employed in Tasmania for the destruction of the Codlin Moth. Hβ thought that something might be done on the same lines, but the general opinion was that it was useless to try and suppress the pest in the colony while infected fruit is imported. Mr George Edgecumbe, one of the severest sufferers in this district from the moth, was decidedly in favour of legislation, and pointed out that the example of California and Tasmania would have to be followed. Ho held that it is a3 necessary to legislate on the fruit pests as it was with regard to the sheep diseases and scourges. He read an extract from the July number of the Farmer pointing out the beneficial effect of legislation in Tasmania where it had been in operation for 5 years and where the orchardiets arc now decidedly in favour of it. The first thing to be done would be Co appoint a delegate to represent the district at the proposed conference in Auckland. Mr T. G. Sandes spoke in the same strain.

Mr James Walton, was also in favour of legislation, but he was not certain as to what form it should t.ike. Like many others he suffered from a neighbour who would not do anything to suppress the moth and he had consequently let a portion of his orchard go. Legislation should not only provide means to suppress the pest here but also to prevent its beine imported int) the colony. There was a strong objection to any further taxation, but all interested in fruit-growing were of opinion thiit some legislation is neresnary.

Mr A. Swarbrick said that those persons who wero opposed to legislation would nut suffer at all by it. At present their orchards were of no use to them, and they might just a« well cut them down. If they did not comply with the Act, the only difference would bo that they would be compelled to cut the trees down.

Mr S. T. Seddon and Mr T. Hicks also spoke strongly in favour of compulsory legislation. Mr Karl was opposed to legislation. Mr George Reed was in favour of the formations of local boards, but not of dealing with the pest direct from Wellington. Mr Dyer moved that, in tho opinion of this meeting, it is desirable that compulsory legislation should be enacted for the suppression of the codlin moth on somewhat similar lines to the Tasmanian measure, which provides for the administration of the Act by the local authorities ; and, further, that such legislation should prohibit the importation of infected fruit into the country. ■Seconded by Mr S. T. Seddon and carried unanimously.

Mr von Sturmer then moved that Messrs Hay, Dyer, Walton, Reed, Seddon. Edgecumbe, .Swarbrick, Wells, and von Sturmer be appointed to compare the Ttismaniau Act with the bill drawn up by tho Waikato Horticultural Society in 1880 and the Codlin Moth Act of ISS4, with the abject of collating the most suitiiblo clauses of all three Actb and preparing a Bill from them for presentation to the Otahuhu Fruitgrowers' Association and, if such draft Bill be approved, to the House of Representatives for their guidance in legislation on this question. Seconded by Mr T. Hicks and carried unanimously. Mr Dyer moved that Mr 6. Edgecumbe be appointed delegate to attend the conference in Auckland.

Seconded by Mr Seddon and carried. A vote of thanks to the chair dosed the meeting.