36 



6th. That all cases, plants, trees, vines, cuttings, &c., be dis- 

 infected before leaving any infected area. 



7th. If any district fail to appoint a board the Government have 

 power to nominate same. 



Finally, I would impress upon the Minister the desirability of 

 having an Act of some kind passed at ensuing session, which could 

 be amended from time to time as circumstances seem fit. 



The following paper was handed in to be read at the Confer- 

 ence from Mr. Samuel Lancaster, Kyabram Fruit-growers' Asso- 

 ciation : — 

 Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, 



I must apologize for the hurried manner in which my paper has 

 been got up, not knowing that it was necessary to put it in writing 

 till on my way hero. 



The Kyabram Fruit-growers' Association, which I represent, 

 desire me to speak on the urgent necessity there is for an Insect 

 Pests Bill. 



We believe the future prosperity of our colony depends largely 

 on the increased production from the soil. There was a time, 

 gentlemen, when the production of wool was the leading industry, 

 and we have nothing to say against our squatters, they were the 

 pioneers of our country, and were the means of securing to us a 

 vast amount of wealth, but they had to take second place after 

 the discovery of gold, when mining took the lead. In our short 

 history we have sent to the old land something like £220,000,000 

 sterling. The mines have certainly taken a prominent place in 

 helping to build up our colony, but they have had to give place 

 to larger and more lasting industries, such as agriculture and horti- 

 culture, &c., which have now become, and must ever be, our 

 mainstay. Hence the necessity of assisting in every possible way 

 the further development of our boundless resources. 



We believe, sir, that the growth of fruit must become a pro- 

 minent factor in contributing to the prosperity of the colony in 

 the near future. 



In the far-famed Goulburn Valley we have during the past two 

 or three years planted thousands of acres of fruit trees and vines. 

 The Government has assisted us in a very substantial manner to 

 bring into existence what is to us a new industry. In the district 

 where I reside, around Lancaster, in about eighteen months we 

 have planted nearly 1,000 acres. Our district is clean, that is, 

 free from those insect pests which have proved ruinous to other 

 fruit-growing centres. We have good land, well adapted for this 

 purpose; and without fear of contradiction I say we have the best 

 irrigation scheme in Australia. 



At the present time the codlin moth is being brought into our 

 midst, and doubtless other pests of a similar kind. 



