WORK OF CAWTHRON INSTITUTE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 1 August 1929, Page 6

WORK OF CAWTHRON INSTITUTE

IMPORTED INSECTS EVERY PRECAUTION TAKEN During the Imprest Supply debate in the Legislative Council on Tuesday last, tbo Hon. W. M. Mclntyre strongly defended the Cawtliron Institute against the remarks of the lTou. G. M. Thompson ‘‘that the Cawtliron Institute was importing all sorts of insects from abroad for the purpose of dealing with ghrso, blackberry, ragwort, and other noxious woods-and liberating them in this country, but (here was no guarantee that, these insects would not. prove a greater pest than that which they were imported to eradicate.” That slatenu'iit, said Mr Mclntyre, was to be expected from the man in the street, but be was very surprised lo bear it come from Hie Hon. Mr Thompson, who was himself a scientist, because the Hon. Mr Thompson must know that before any insect was liberated in New Zealand it was subjected to most severe tests and the Government must be absolutely satisfied that it would not attack any plant of value in the Dominion. The lifn history and habits of the insects were closely studied lor years, and if after destroying (lie weed the insects attacked any other plants then they themselves were immediately destroyed, flic object of the Cawtliron Institute was to find out the natural enemy of a narticulai noxious weed and combat it by introducing into this country that particular insect and breeding it in large numbers. The Institute bad saved the orchardists r/f the Dominion thousands of pounds annually by introducing the parasite apheliiius, which very quickly eradicated the woolly aphis. Thousands of that 'parasite bad been sent all over the world to combat the woolly aphis. Tho Hon. Mr Thompson: ‘‘That was an insect attacking an insect- which was quite different from an insect attacking a plant.” The Hon. Mr Mclntyre: "Exactly the same precautions are taken with insects imported to destroy plants.” If Mr Thompson or any other member of the Council would like to go over the Cawtliron Institute he (Mr Mclntyre) would be pleased to accompany them and hand them over to Hie Director (Professor Easterfield), who would show them the work -being done. The Hon. Air Thompson: “I intend going next week.” The Hon. Mr Mclntyre: "I am delighted to hear that and I feel sure that when the Hon. Air Thompson has seen the work being carried out at Nelson he will be quite satisfied that there is no danger from any parasite liberated by the Cawtliron Institute.” Tho officers of the Institute had under observation parasites dealing with blackberry, gorsc, ragwort, earwigs and a host of other pests, and if they succeeded in eradicating only one of them from the Dominion it would have justified the Institute’s existence from a financial point alone. The Hon. Air Mclntyre assured the Council that they need have no fear as far as the activities of the Cawtliron Institute were concerned. The officers of tho. Institute were doing groat work which was benefiting the Dominion as a whole and be would be very sorry to see anything go out from the Legislative Council which would shake the confidence of the people in the Institute. To. even suggest that the work of the officers of tlie Cawtliron Institute might result in the Institute being a curse instead of a blessing would be very detrimental to the Institute and retard the progress of the Dominion.