THE CODLIN MOTH ACT.
TO THE EDITOR, ■?ib,— That the bona iide settlors of New, jealand are a thoroughly conservative :lass, must be freely admitted by those vho have read and studied the question nvolved in dealing with the codlin moth >est. A considerable amount of ink has iceu used in criticising the proposed Act, md in most cases adversely. Everyone igrees that to successfully combat the ;vil, certain necessary precautions are equired which to be effective must be systematically pursued by all who grow ipples. Tims ev-eryone seems to be igreed ; but when it come 3 to a question :>l State interference, then—to use a someivhat stale, though expressive, saying— " the fat's in the lire." ■ Aud after all, 1 lo not know that I am inclined to quarre with my bucolic friends in this instance ;n view of the amount of State tyrann) that is attempted no.v-a days. Most o tbe objections to the measure can bi traced to the obuoxious question o "Inspection," and the necessary cost o the inspection.; yet nearly all admit tha to successfully dell with the disaster tha has overtaken orcbardists—for such '. consider it—inspection is absolutely ne pessary, and this question of iuspcctioi 3in only be considered obnoxious in th light of other Acts inflicted upon a suffer ing and already over-burdened communit; by a succession of so-called " Libera Governments," so that the outcome of tin whole thing seems to resolve itself into i distrust of our legislation. I am th< more confirmed in this view of the casi after reading a report of a " very success fill meetiiu: of tliu members of the Albert land Fruitgrowers' Association held 01 A.ugust Ist," attended by the " prinoipa fruitgrowers of Port Albert and Wells ford, at which the following drastic ruli was pissed, viz:—Rule 12.—"Los--- ii transit through theft or otherwise mij be considered by the Association, and i deemed necessary, the Association ma; assist any member to recover agains Steamer or railway, or company for ab Straction (?), or loss of fruit, or carelesi damage to fruit. The funds needed fo such action shall be raised by a levy 01 all members. Any member refusing ti pay the levy shall be warned that unles before a fixed date the levy be paid, thei will be expelled," (the English is that o the Fruitgrowers' Association). Anyoni reading this would be prepared to believi that the association would be fount among the supporters of the propose! Codlin Moth Bill as being even more tern pera.te in its provision. Yet after swallow ing the above resolution, you read tha "a very warm discussion" ensued upoi that measure, and the projected interfer ence of Government in relation thereto the outcome of which was a resoiutioi carried unanimously, "That the Associa tion does not consider it conducive to thi interests of fruitgrowers to have legisla tive measures passed by the Governmenl to deal with the codlin moth pest; tha the secretary write to certain member/ to that effect. " Our Correspondent' then goes on to sapiently remark, "si far, in this district it has proved eminently successful to adopt the bandaging of tree: and picking affected fruit, and carefullj destroying it, in keeping down the codlii moth." What more does the proposei Act provide for? So that the only fchinj between the opponents and proposers o the Act is the question of inspection In view of this phase of the question, an< the evidence here before us, would it no be possible and politic to make the Bil optional with those who wish to tak« advantage of its provisions and found i to their advantage to do so ? Could i not be done by a majority of the or cbardists in a district subject to an Order-in-Council of the Governor.—Yours, etc., Irish Peach.
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Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3135, 18 August 1892, Page 2
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631THE CODLIN MOTH ACT. Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3135, 18 August 1892, Page 2
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