A WAR ON WASTE

Hokitika Guardian, 22 January 1931, Page 2

A WAR ON WASTE

(Otago “Times.”)

trade within the British Empire is steadily increasing despite temporary setbacks and disappointments. Perhaps the only unwelcome consequence is that the chances are thereby increased for the spread of pests from one land to another. Efficient quarantine regulations afford considerable protection against this danger, but they do not preclude the possibility of a few ininjurious and uneconomic transfers of parasites. According to Dr D. Miller, entomologist at the Cawthron Institute, who has prepared a report after his recent observations of the practice

in other countries, New Zealand takes inadequate precautions against the introduction of pests, and the present system affords no protection to the exotic forests and plantations the comparative freedom of which from depredations appears to he due merely to good fortune. In its consideration of the immediate expense involved by the thorough system of quarantine and inspection that is recommended, the Government will be well advised to take a farsighted view of this inattor, tile itnpoftilli't'e of which is enhanced by each addition to the Overseas trade of the l)olhiilioll. No system of quarantine, hoWevCr strict, will be o'f aMy avail against etieinies already introduced, which in agricultural and pastoral countries exact an enormous toll from the annual production of the hum. Reliable calculations of fhe waste caused by pests in New Zealand have not been made, but in Australia the blowfly pest alone causes losses among sheep that are estimated at £‘1,000,000 per annum. Of the various methods which have been evolved for controlling pests, some are at the best only palliatives, the yearly application of which reduces the prevalence of the pest sufficiently for the farmer to obtain reasonably satisfactory results. Other .means have to he sought to repress or eradicate the many pests that are not amenable to any method of artificial control. A possible method often presents itself in the utilisation of the natural parasitic enemies or specific pests and this procedure, which has become known as biological control, has in certain cases been conspicuously successful. As might he expected, it has produced the most encouraging results where pests have been accidentally introduced into lands where they have flourished on account, mainly, of the absence of their natural enemies. Biological control aims at restoring where practicable, the missing parasitic enemy. Second only in importance to the waste directly attributable to pests and diseases is that which occurs through iiigfficieiicv in methods of production arid ignorance of the best means of production. While prices are high it is possible to will rich rewards from the land despite wasteful methods, but, with the swing df the pendulum, primary producers must lie assisted to meet the changed conditions by the application of scientific knowledge. At the present time many Governments, including our own, are searching for means of reducing expenditure and restoring prosperity to their countries. Jii circumstances such as these, scientific and educational activities have sometimes been severely treated. Any considerable curtailment in expenditure on scientific research into problems of immediate practical utility should not be contemplated even at a time of financial stress, for it would

seriously retard the economic recovery. One of the outstanding recommendations of the Scientific Research Committee of the Imperial Conference urged oil Governments of the Empire the imperative need for pushing ahead with applied scientific investigations at a time like the present. Lord Melchatt expressed the same idea in these words:—“lt is a curious and sad fact that when industry is depressed and trade bad, many of those directing industry have only one idea of economy, and that is to cut down research. This is based upon a profound fallacy. Research and better scientific methods do more than any other factors to help industry out of its difficulties.” Countries that export primary products to the extent that Australia and New Zealand do cannot afford to relax their efforts in the war on waste in production, since every success in this encounter adds to their economic assets.

The comprehensiveness and value oi the work accomplished by the Australian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research is recorded in its recent annual report. By discovering a method of controlling the prickly pear menace in Queensland and New South Wales the council has more than paid for its upkeep, and this is one only, among many, of its notable achievements. The spread of the prickly pear lias been checked and large tracts of once useless land have been reclaimed by importing from the Argentine a peculiar insect with a deva.stmg appetite that can he satisfied, if at all,

exclusively by the prickly pear. This problem is not yet entirely disposed of, for the destruction of the regrowth of the pear and the possibility of a disease fifflicting the destroyer itself both require further investigation. During the four years of its existence the council lias rendered valuable assistance to almost even- branch of primary production. Some of its achievements, such as its work on ragwort and prickly pear, on the black disease in sheep, on bitter pit in apples, an d water blister of pineapples, hav ea fairly definitely assess-

able monetary value, and will no doubt impress the Government when it considers the continuation of the necessary grant lor working expenses, tint tlie worth of the council cannot lie measured by these activities alone. iWany investigations are still in progress; young scientists are being trained abroad in specialised brandies; an extensive educational campaign has been conducted; and the council has co-operated with reasearch institutions throughout the world. Some of the problems which have not yet yielded to solution are also being investigated in New Zealand. It is most desirable j to have an intimate association between j the work of the component parts of the Empire and nothing can further this end more than personal contacts between workers in allied subjects in the various dominions.