THE CODLIN MOTH.

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 40, 20 September 1892, Page 2

THE CODLIN MOTH.

. TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAK. Sir,—ln a recent isßue of the Star I read that at a meeting of settlers in the Harbor Board Block, it was decided to get up a petition to Parliament protesting against the proposed legislation for the destruction of the codlin moth. The gentleman who proposed this gave as his reason that there was no known remedy for the moth, and, therefore, that the Government proposals were useless. I enclose you a cutting from the Wairarapa Daily which may, perhaps, assist him in coming to ■" a l.different^cotfciHs!Bߣ if you will kindly print it. I may say, also, that Mr M. Murphy, the secretary to the Canterbury Agricultural Association, da his return from a recent visit to Tasmania, stated before the GanterburyFrnitsgrowers Association, that the effect of the Tasmania Codlin Moth Act was to clear the orchards wherever it was put into force. While the matter was left "to voluntary action the result was as stated in the extract, " Even if one man cleans his trees, colonies from neighboring plantations will make a trip to his grounds, seeking change of air and feed." I would therefore suggest to the settlers in the Harbor Board Block that if the Act hasacjied beneficially in Tasmania it might possibly do so here. ;);1-... ,„; , I am, Ac.,, • : ' Beg. C. Templer. [It so happens that a few years ago Tasmania was in a'similar condition with respect to fruit-growing to that in which New Zealand now finds itselfi; The people there were,in,very many.instances, too poor to afford to allow an enemy; to smother one of their niost promising industries. Goaded by stern necessity, they faced the, difficulty, and, with a little necessary legislation for the purpose of constituting efficient local authorities to deal with the pest, they have practically stamped it out. The apples we eat now in New Zealand come from Tasmania, and is a feather in the cap of that colony, and a disgrace to this/that such should be the case. At one time a''large steamer was a rare sight in Hobart harbour, but now the finest vessels in. the southern hemisphere make regular calls at that port for fruit. Many districts in New Zealand are quite, as we'll, adapted (or the production of fruits as* Tasmania but unfortunately 1 We have not, as in the latter colony, established conditions under which the fruit can be profitably grown and exported, This is what the Auckland fruit societies are trying to accomplish, and they deserve the cordial sympathy and support of evWyflCew Zealand colonist /They simply, Ijejjire to bring into force, with slight modifications, an Act which has: been: a success in Tasmania,, a measure, indeed, which has saved thousands of setters in that country from comparative destitution.}