ISLAND FRUIT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 462, 22 March 1909, Page 2

ISLAND FRUIT.

IMPORTERS' COMPLAINTS REVIVED. MR. KIRK REPLIES. The "Auckland merchant" who has revived the outcry against the enforcement of the l'ruit-ily regulations against tlio Pacific Island importations, is only raising old points that were threshed out many months ago in a public interview with the Minister and his experts. It was then definitely stated and definitely understood by tlio Auckland and other merchants who wero present, that the regulations would bo enforced, but that concessions exempting green bananas and passion fruit would be - extended. Erom that position thero ha.» apparently been no variation. Replying to a question from a Dominion reporter yesterday, Mr. T. W. Kirk, the biologist responsible for tlio enforcement of tlio regulations, said:—"There seems to have been some misunderstanding in regard to the position of these Islands. Thero was never any exemption of any of the PacificIslands from tlio regulations. But, realising that it might bo moro difficult, perhaps, Tor the inhabitants of the Islands to become acquainted with tho requirements of our Act than for the Australians, a much longer period of grace was allowed for these Islands than for Australia. The regulations camo into forco in Ecbruary, 1908, so that importers and oxporters have had plenty of time to beconio familiar with what is' necessary, and for the authorities in the Islands to make provision to meet tho requirements. Tlio notification received by the merchant in question is a formal notification that • after tho end of March the regulations will be enforced against the Pacific Islands." They say they are New Zcalauders—these • Cook Islanders. "They aro not New Zealanders in the eyes of the regulations, becauso they havo not put themselves under tho Orchard and Garden Posts Act of Now Zealand." If they put themselves under that Act what would be the position 'i "They would then become a district M>f, New Zealand under that Act, and when fruit fly was discovered there they would bo declared an infected district, and treated accordingly. While they remain outside tho Act we have no control over their orchards, and they must come under the regulations.'' They say they have no fruit-fly, except a local sort of fruit-fly that is harmless. "The Mediterranean fruit-fly has been found in fruit even from tho Cook Islands, although I admit it is not very plentiful there. The objections raised by importers,, in regard to the Islands aro tho same as the objections raised in New South Wales. You will remember bow violent was tho op- . position raised there. The fruit-growers . there declared that it was impossible to givo a declaration that their fruit was grown in a clean orchard, a mile distant from any known infection. Such a contention proved very conclusively the urgent need of our regulations if wo were to protect tho New Zealand orchards." You have exempted green Island bananas , and passion fruit. Cannot some concession bo mado in regard to tho chief remaining fruit—oranges!' Would inspection beforo shipment bo a sufficient safeguard? "It has already been suggested that wo should agree to appoint an inspector in tho Cook Islands at the Islands' expense, and it seems possible that such a concession could perhaps bo granted. But tho inspector would need to have sufficient powers to reject everything presented that did not meet with bis approval. AVhethcr such an arrangement would be feasible from a policy point of view, is not for me to say." How would this benefit tho Islanders? . "The idea is that the prescribed declaration would be dispensed with, and that the certificate; of our inspector in tho Islands would admit the fruit to New Zealand without further inspection. Wo should have confidence thai the. inspector, being our'bjnr man,' would not pass anything that was questionable." . That might bo tho first stop towards, totallv eradicating the fruit-fly from tho' I*lands P _ ' ■ ; ; . ' "Quite possibly."