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Resolved, That this Conference urges all Governments and organizations undertaking work of this character to provide the most expert scientific supervision for such "work, to include skilleel biologists trained in the; study of parasitic and predatory forms of life, and to assist, so far as possible, in the creation of a much larger number erf such trained men by encouraging the study in the; higher educational institutions of the very numerous problems of natural control. Resolved, further, That Governments and institutions be advised to arrange thesir permanent stations intended for phyto-pathological anei entomological investigations in such a way as to facilitate international exchange of parasites in every possible manner, anei to afford to the experts of other countries who may be engaged in exploration work of this character all possible facilities and assistance. In presenting Dr. Tillyard's valuable paper on " Insects in Relation to the New Zealand Foei'tlsupply," and in the course of my comments upon it, I made the following statement, which 1 desire here to emphasize : " In the control of insect pests the introduction of parasites should not be left to the judgment of private individuals, however highly qualified, or even of any scientific society. It is a matter affecting the whole; community, and no action should be permitted in any case; until full discussion leads to a consensus of expert opinion on the subject. The whole history of introduction of animal-life in New Zealanel teems with examples of well-meant but misguided activity in this direction." Previous to my departure from Wellington in the beginning of July I asked Dr. Reakes to specify any points on which I might seek special information at the Conference;. Some of these matters I was able to look into to some extent. In regard to the questions oofltained in the memorandum submitted to the Director e>f the Fields Division, on the 3rel July, by Mr. R. Waters, Officer in Charge of the Biological Laboratory, I regret to say that not one of these questions arose in the Conference. Entomologists were strongly represented, but neither bacterieflogists nor fungologists were represented. Mr. J. A. Campbell, Director of the Horticulture Division, drew my cspc;eia] attention to the attitude of the United States in connection with fruit-fly, mealy bug, and plant quarantine, as affecting the Dominion of New Zealand. I gather that the position in regard to fruit-fly is as follows : The Uniteel States authorities, both in Honolulu and California, are apparently now quite satisfied that there is no clanger whatever from this pest from New Zealanel. I was not able to ascertain whether any definite communication hael been rccciveel by the authorities in Honolulu from the Head Office; in Washington:, but Mr. E. M. Ehrhorn, Chief of Division of Plant Inspection in Hawaii, stated that they had the assurance from the New Zealand Government that as far as apple shipments were concerned there; was no fear of any fruitflies. In regard to mealy bug, I have a letter from Mr. Ehrhorn, dated 20th August, in which he says : " In our letter to the Pan-Pacific traders, elated 27th May, we; called their attention to the; insufficient certificate issued by the Inspector, Mr. N. J. Adamson, Ettrick, Otago, as it only certifies that the contents of a shipment of 250 cases of apples are ' free from disease.' No mention is made of insect pests. I am glad to know that the Department of Agriculture in New Zealand has refused to accept any fruit for shipment to Honolulu from orchard elistricts where mealy bug occurs. ... As the mealy bug gets into the blossom-end of the apples and pears, you can see that its spread is easily accomplished, as nobody eats the core of. the fruit, and "wherever this is thrown the mealy bug has a chance to get on to grass or shrubs, and in this way get established. We have; a record of twenty-four plants on which the mealy bug {Pseudococcus maritimus) will thrive. The other species— P. comslocki —has a record of infesting some seventeen plants. You can therefore understand why we arc so particular about not allowing fruit infested with mealy bugs to ente>,r our territory." The subject of plant quarantine received a very consielerable amount of attention in the; Conference, and I was able to place the; New Zealand position before interested members. The opinion was expressed and was voiced by Mr. Ehrhorn that the able officer in Auckland who was responsible for the proper inspection of fruit, imported plants, &c, required more efficient support. I was informed that while a very strong and efficient staff was employed at Wellington, that at Auckland was undermanneel. I give the opinion for what it is worth. The Honolulu authorities, at any rate, consider that the position at the northern port wants strengthening. Preservation of Fruit, for Transportation. —A very interesting statement on this subject was maele by Dr. P. J. S. Cramer, Director of the Experiment Station of Buitenzorg, Java. The method is merely that of dipping the fruit in rubber latex, allowing the rubber film to harden, and then shipping the fruit as ordinary freight without cold storage. Dr. Cramer has shipped fresh strawberries treated in this way, the fruit holding its flavour, form, aroma, and practically the same stage of ripeness from ten to fourteen days. He has shipped latex-dipped ripe mangos and the mangostccn, which is considered the most delicate of all tropical fruits, from Buitenzorg to L'Acclimatisation Sociejtc, in Paris, where the members proclaimed their arrival in perfect condition. In the course of his experiments he took gree'ii bananas and dipped them half their length in the rubber latex. The untreated half of the fruit ripened while; the: " rubberizeel " half of the bananas remained green. Rubber latex is common anei cheap in most tropical countries. It can be preserved almost indefinitely by adding ammonium sulphate, which retards coagulation. In fact, tanks of preserveel rubber latex have been shipped from the tropics to London and New York for the experimental production of various commercial articles, and it has been suggested that there is a wide field for its utilization in various textile-manufacturing lines. Its utilization as a preservative in the shipment of fruits opens up fascinating possibilities for the fruit-farmer. The thin film of rubber on the surface of the fresh fruit strips off as easily as a glove: from the fingers, allowing the normal ripening process to continue.