REPORT OF SENIOR INSPECTOR, FRUIT EXPORTS 13 



AND IMPORTS. 



On 1st July, 1909, the Federal Quarantine Act came into operation, 

 and a considerable portion of the work previously performed under the 

 Vegetation Diseases Acts is now being carried out under the Federal 

 measure. This law provides for the inspection and, if necessary, the 

 quarantine and treatment of plants (among other things). 80 far, the 

 operation of the Act has been confined to imports from countries outside 

 the Commonwealth ; but power exists to extend same to local transfer 

 if the necessity should arise. 



The methods of examination, though somewhat more drastic from 

 the wider scope of the Act, are, on the whole, similar to those which 

 obtained under State law, and the work is still carried out by the 

 officers of this Branch. 



The measure, on the whole, has been found to work smoothly. As it 

 has, however, been in operation for little over a year, it is somewhat 

 early to venture an absolute opinion as to its ultimate efficiency as 

 compared with the State measure ; but the fact that it operates 

 uniformly throughout the whole Commonwealth is a substantial, 

 argument in its favour. 



With respect to goods intended for export, those for other States 

 must be accompanied by a certificate, stating that they have been 

 examined and found free from disease. It is also necessary that all 

 cases or other packages be new, and bear the name and address or the 

 registered mark or brand of the grower or exporter in letters of not 

 less than one half -inch in length. 



The following are additional Special Regulations in force in other 

 States : — 



Queensland. — Vino; and portions of vines are prohibited. 



Tasmania. — Plants must be fumigated prior to shipment, and are only permitteJ 

 to land at Hobart, Launceston, and Devon port. 



South Australia. — Vines or portions of vines are prohibited entry. Plants or 

 portions of plants must be accompanied by a declaration stating that they were 

 grown at a greater distance than 50 yards of any grapo vines, and that no Phyl- 

 loxera exists or has existed in the nursery or garden in which the plants have been 

 growing. 



Western Australia. — Vines on arrival are grown in quarantine for one sea.son. 

 Albany and Fremantle are the only ports where plants may be landed. 



The examination of fruit, plants, &c, intended for export to 

 countries outside the Commonwealth is carried out under the provisions 

 of the Federal Commerce Act and Regulations. This measure prohibits 

 the export of such goods unless they bear a true description, setting out 

 the following particulars : — 



1. The kind of goods. 



"2. The net weight or quantity. 



3. The name of the grower or exporter. 



4. The name of the State wherein the goods were grown or produced. 



5. The word " Australia." 



