THE FRUIT FLY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2191, 15 May 1908, Page 2

THE FRUIT FLY.

NEW ZEALAND REGULATIONS,

REPRISALS THREATENED BY NEW SOUTH WALES.

The N.S.W. Minister lor Agriculture, on May sth., received a deputation, introduced by Mr. Hunt, M.L.A. representing the fruitgrowers of the State, with reference to the Now Zealand regulations governing tho importation of citrus fruits. It was stated that during the citrus season, which would commence shortly, and last until the end of November, from 2000 to 0000 or SOOO cases were exported from that State weekly, and under the regulations scarcely a case could be sent to New Zealand, as accompanying each shipment must be a declaration signed by a grower and an officer of tho Agricultural Department, stating that tho fruit was not grown within a mile of a locality where the fruit fly existed. The fruit fly was distributed very considerably over tho State, and it would probably be impossible to secure such a declaration, ‘ except perhaps in tho winter months. It was asked that steps should be taken to induce the New Zealand Government to modify the regulations. Mr. Perry, in the course of his reply, said that when the new regulations came into force in New Zealand ho had communicated with the Dominion Government, ami had received a promise that an alteration would be made in favor of tho growers. Tho al-

tcration was actually made, but certain influences wero brought to bear on tlie responsible Minister, who amended tho regulations to provido that fruit must ho accompanied by a certificate stating that it was not grown within a milo of any spot where the fly existed. lie had written to the New Zealand Minister for Agricultural pointing out that this practically meant prohibition against (New South Wales, -and could only load to reprisals. He subsequently forwarded to the New Zealand Government copies of the resolutions adopted by the Interstate Fruit Conference, and suggested” that the Dominion should accept them, hut he had received no reply. Ho liad done all ho could in the matter, and while he did not desire to make threats, if the New Zealand was not reasonable, tlie Government of this State might try tho same sort of method that was tried successfully with Victoria. He had sent a reminder, and was still hopeful of getting a reply. If the fruit was carefully inspected at this end, and a certificate was given that no fruit fly was present in the shipment, that ought to be sufficient to satisfy the New Zealand Government, which ho hoped would soon fall into line on this subject with tho States of the Commonwealth.