The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. THURSDAY, JULY 21, 1892.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3123, 21 July 1892, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. THURSDAY, JULY 21, 1892.

Parliament can have no surer guide as to required legislation or desirable amendment of tha,t which exists than that which is afforded by a Conference of those immediately interested, and provided that noue of the recommendations are calculated to interfere with the rights of other sections of the community, it may with safety legislate ia the direction asked. The Conference of delegates from the Fruitgrowers Associations which met in Auckland on Tuesday were unanimous that an Act is necessary in order that the ravages of the codlin moth and other insect pests may be checked by concerted action, directed by experts with a legal status to enforce the measures they may deem necessary from time to time. Two drafts of Bills for the guidance of Parliament were submitted to the Conference for their consideration, one drafted by the Wai'kato Horticultural Society and thse other by Mr Peacock e, tlm Editor of the "Parmer." Both were based on the Act in force in Tasmania, which is admitted to have very much reduced the moth pest in that colony and revived the hope of orchardists that their industry is ca.p i >u.' ■ jf In: comin iT a source of profit to thorufielves and an addition to the wealth to the colony. The principal difference between the Bills v/as that that of the Waikato Society suggested

that the local bodies should administer the Act; that of Mr Peacocke follows the Tasmaniati im>;i sure more closely and suggests that the colony shall he divided into districts, with a Board of seven elected by the fruit-growers to carry out the provisions of the Act, who, for the purpose, shall have the power to appoint Inspectors. There are so nianv local bodies dotted all over the colony already that it is questionable whether it is judieious to create another series. On the other hand on the principle that representation and taxation should go hand in hand, it is perhaps well, as it is proposed that the fruit-growers shall bear the cost of administration, that they should have the appointment of Boards devoted solely to their interests. A resolution was carried at the meeting that the tax for the purposes of the Act shall not exceed four shillings per acre, the exact sum of course to be fixed by the Board. In order that there may be uniformity of action it is provided in the draft bill that the Governor in Council shall proclaim regulations for the guidance of the Boards. Of necessity there are several penal clauses, one of the most important being that any person selling or exposing for sale any fruit infected with the moth shall be subject to a fine not exceeding £5. This is manifestly necessary, as it would be useless to attempt to eradicate the insects, if infected foreign or locally grown fruit were allowed to be scattered indiscriminately over the country. The delegates, however, recognised that infected fruit has a commercial value, and suggested that under proper restrictions such fruit should be disposed of at the nearest cider mil), provided that the regulations for the destruction of the moth is carried out previously. As diseased fruit, at the time it is of any value for any purpose, is perforated by the insect, there will be some difficulty in framing a regulation to meet the case. It would be premature, however, to criticise details until the draft Bill is before us, which is to be prepared by a committee appointed at the meeting. The delegates fully recognised that orchardists have only two alternatives—either to root up the trees which they have planted at tmich cost and devote their energies in some other direction, or, as they propose, secure legislation which shall compel all for the common interest to adopt the best means available to eradicate the pest which has gone far toward-s blighting all the bright hopes they entertained when they planted their orchards. They are prepared to submit to the necessary taxation to enforce the Act they ask, and, in addition, to abide by the enactments as to the means they shall adopt, also at their own cost. This being the case, there can be no question but that Parliament will accede to their petition. There is no room for a party fight over the question, so that reason and common sense are likely to guide our legislators.