INSECT PESTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1920, Page 1

INSECT PESTS.

DR TILLYAHD’S WARNING

AUCKLAND, Dec. 0.

An interesting statement as to the requirements of the Dominion in recant to the prevention and eradication of pests attacking plant life was made by Dr R. J. Tillyard, biologist to the Cawthron Institute, Nelson, who re-

presented the New Zealand Government at the limperial Conference of entomologists held in London recently, and who returned by the Niagara. Referring to the fact that the conference had recommended the establishment of an Impp ini bureau of entomology as tile centre q f entomlogical investigation for the Empire, he said lie was convinced that if the recommendations were carried out, something important entomolugieally- would be 'done. It was becoming more and more apparent that the whole Empire must be or- . ganised to withstand the increasing ravages of the insect pests, otherwise many of our primary industries were doomed to destruction. Speaking specially with reference to New Zealand, Dr Tilyard said that for every single insect pest we had at pi esent, it seemed reasonably certain that ten other pests quite as virulent as any we had would come into the country unless we organised to prevent them. New Zealand had a good system of quarantine, but it was not perfect, and this emphasised tho necessity for rigidly watching over our 'fruit and crop industries if they were to be safeguarded from tho ravages of their natural enemies. Dr Tillyard said” the conclusion lie had Ooino to after his trip round the world was that the study of entomology and mycology in New Zealand would liayo to be increased 'to a considerable degree, and a complete system of organisation in these two directions should bo regarded by the people, p| the Dominion as a necessary insurance against * the tremendous risks of the future, as well as a cure for the ills we had with us. New Zealand was in a much better position than Australia, where tho primary industries were threatened with partial or total .destruction. ‘‘Our farm ers must pull together,” said Dr Tillyard,, “and even if it becomes a question of a small levy on each case of apples grown, or every fleece of wool shorn, for tho upkeep of an experimental station, and the employment of a competent staff, it will he found that the saving that will be made as the result of tbo investigations of these men will more than repay the farmers for their outlay.’.’ So far as New Zealand’s requirements

were concerned it would he necessary to train men as entomologists and this should perferably be done in the Dominion. Ho would not, however, lie said, get young men to take up this science, unless the Government or the fanners made it clear that positions would ' bo found for them when they had qualified.' The Cawntluon Institute purposed conducting a posf-graduate course in entomology, but there should be a chair of entomology at one or more of the Non' Zealand University Colleges. “You must reward the entomologist in future not as a madman carrying round a butterfly net,” said Dr Tillyard in eonclus- 1 ion, “but as being of equal mpqrtnnee for the national safety as a doctor or a dentist.”