FIREBLIGHT DISEASE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 96, 17 January 1921, Page 7

FIREBLIGHT DISEASE

GOVERNMENT ALIVE TO POSITION

STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER

A REPLY TO CRITICISM • By Telegraph.—Press Association, Nelson, January 14. With reference to certain opinions and statements published in regard to the orchard disease* known as "fireblight,” the Hon. W. Nosworthy (Minister of Agriculture) points out that “fircblight" is entirely a new disease to this country. Before suitable legislation to cope with the situation could bo suggested, some experience of its behaviour was necessary. Unfortun.Kely, such information was unavailable sufficiently early to enable legislation to be enacted last session. Furthermore, it does not appear to be understood that had legislation been passed last session it would not have materially affected the position to-day, as its effect, would not have been felt until the winter months. In the meantime, the matter was being carefully watched iby the Government, and if special legislation is found to be desired it will be brought before Parliament as soon as possible after the opening of next session. Erring on Side of Severity. "There are,” the Minister went on to say, “those who consider the Department’s action not sufficiently drastic, and who urge that infected trees, whether lightly or severely attacked, should bo immediately destroyed. For their information, I may state that the method adopted by the Department of dealing with fireblight is based on that in use in the United States, where they have had a vast experience, but that it is applied very much more drastically. In as far as the question of the partial versus the -complete destruction of trees is concerned, the Department is holding to some extent, at least, the same opinion as the critics in the question, namely, that it is better to err on tho side of severity rather than on that of leniency when dealing with a disease of this character, especially at the outset. However, to carry this to the suggested extent of complete destruction of every infected tree would mean quite unnecessary destruction and loss. The point is, moreover, of little moment as far as the spread of the disease up to the present is concerned, as reinfection of fruit trees this season was due, not to orchards which had been treated, but, rather, to contaminated' hawthorne hedges in tlie vicinity. With reference to these hedges, officers in the field are placing the owners affected under notice calling upon them, to cut their hedges back to within five feet of the ground, and otherwise to eradicate the disease‘prior to the fixed date.”

The wisdom of the Department in holding certain trees in an orchard at Otahuhu for experimental purposes has been questioned. In explanation, the Minister points, out that tho pruning out method is the only one which has so ( far proved to be of value. It was held l.y many growers to 'be a crude way of dealing with the disease, and, consequently, they criticised tho Department for not attempting to devise an equally effective, but less destructive, plan. The Department fully appreciated this contention, and although compelled to adopt generally the only known means of successfully combating the disease, had decided to experiment with the hope of devising a less drastic practice. The experiments were placed in the hands of the biological branch, which has already carried out a large amount of valuable laboratory work. Field ■ experiments necessarily required infected trees to be available,, and, consequently, three or four trees in the Otahuhu orchard were selected, the remainder being treated in conformity with the general practice. The supposed: danger of retaining the trees in question was much more apparent than real, as at the time selection was made the blossoming period was well over, and the danger of a wider spread of infection had ceased. This orchard is situated many miles away from anything like important fruit-growing areas. Efforts to Increase Staff. Statements had been made that the Horticultural Division in Auckland is under-manned. This could hardly have been avoided in such an emergency, but every effort had been made to supply the necessary staff. For some time before, and throughout the danger period, orchard instructors from almost every other district in New Zealand were assembled in the fire'blight area, together with a large number of temporary officers, to assist in tho work of eradication’ The operations throughout ( that period were under the general control of Mr. W. T. Goodwin, a thoroughly experienced and reliable officer, and latterly, since Mr. Goodwin’s return to Motueka in connection with the coming season’s export of fruit, each district had been under the control of the local orchard instructor.?. Throughout tho whole period these officers have had authority to engage, within reason, all additional assistance required, and this has been done as far as suitable men have been available. “Fruitgrowers, not only in tho Auckland district, but throughout New Zealand, may rest assured that the Department is fully alive to the danger of fireblight to their industry, and that everything practicable will be done to minimise this danger,” the Minister added. “The co-operation of growers in fire matter up to the present is highly appreciated. It is confidently honed that this co-operation will be continued in order that the Department and growers may, by working in harmony, obtain the most effective results."