INSECT PESTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1920, Page 10 (Supplement)

INSECT PESTS.

''THE TREMENDOUS RISKS OF THE | FUTURE." DR. TILLYARD'S WARNING. An interesting statement as 'to the requirements of the Dominion in regard to the prevention and eradication of pests attacking plant life was made by Or. R. J. Tillyard, biologist to the Cawthorn Institute, Nelson, who represented the New Zealand Government at the Imperial 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 Imperial bureau of entomology as the centre of entomological investigation for the Empire, said he. was convinced that if the recommendation is carried out, something important entomologically would be done. It was becoming more and more apparent that the whole Empire must be organised to withstand the increasing ravages of the insect pests, otherwise many of our primary industries were (loomed to destruction.

Speaking specially with reference to New Zealand, Dr. Tillvard said that for every single insect pest we had at present, it seemed reasonably certain that ten other pejts quite as virulent as any we ha/ would come into the eountry unless we organised to prevent them. New Zealand had a good system of quarantine, but it was not perfect, and this emphasised the necessity for rigidly watching over our fruit and crop industries if they were to be safeguarded from the ravages of their natural enemies.

Dr. Tillyard said that the conclusion he had come to after his trip round the world, was ' that the study of entomology and mycology in New Zealand would have to lie increased to a considerable degree, and a, complete system or organisation in these two directions should be regarded by the people of the Dominion as a necessary insurance against the tremendous risks of the future, as well as a cure for the ills we hud with us. New Zealand was in a much better position than Australia, where the primary industries were threatened with partial or total destruction. ''Our farmers 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 the upkeep of an experimental station and the employment of a competent staff, it will be found that the saving that will be made (is the result of the investigations of these men will more tlnin repay the farmers for their outlav."

So far as New Zealand's requirements were concerned, it would be necessary to train men as entomologists and this should preferably be done in the Dominion. Fie would not, howover, he said, get young men to take up this science, unless the Government or the farmers made it clear that positions would be found for them when, they had qualified. The Cawtliorn Institute purposed conducting a post-graduate course in entomology, but there should be a chnir of entomolosv at oijo or more of the New Zealanc? University Colleges. "You must regard the entomologist in future not as a madman carrying round fi butterfly net," said Dr. Tillyard in conclusion, "but as being of equal importance for the national safety as a i doctor or & dentist."