39 



As to the third and last subject, namely, phylloxera, I will 

 only say that there is a great deal of unjust criticism hurled at 

 the powers that be, both by the press and the outside public. 

 Why should this be so ? The Government, the Phylloxera Board, 

 and the wine-growers generally considered the pest phylloxera a 

 thing not to be met with again in Victoria, as it had been so 

 effectually stamped out of the G-eelong district — the only place 

 in which it existed in this colony. But so soon as it was known 

 for certain that the pest did exist at Bendigo there was no 

 time lost in doing all that human industry and skill could do to 

 combat it, and it is hoped that its existence will be stamped out 

 before it extends to other districts. Our local Board at DunoUy 

 have formed themselves into a Disease Board, and intend to do 

 their duty to all diseases of the vine, as well as to the phylloxera; 

 they only desire the Grovernment to carry out such legislation as 

 will give them power to keep down the diseases of the vine and 

 fruit, which they intend doing without cost to the State. They 

 think if such power were given to them, the introduction 

 of American phylloxera-proof stalks, and the assistance of the 

 Government experts, they could successfully carry on the wine 

 industry; and they trust to the Government to distribute as great 

 a quantity of phylloxera-resisting 'vines as possible this ensuing 

 spring that they may make a start before it is too late, as it is 

 the opinion of some that phylloxera will still spread, regarding 

 compensation to vignerons who have suffered or will suffer loss 

 by phylloxera. This is, in my opinion, a vexed question, and 

 ■one I desire to have this Conference to discuss. 



In conclusion, I will beg to add that, in my opinion, this paper 

 •would not be complete if some reference were not mat^e to the 

 Viticultural Board. As I understand it, this Board has been 

 called into existence by a previous Minister of Agriculture, that 

 it might act as a board of advice to him, and in selecting it he 

 generally invited the presidents of the country wine and fruit- 

 growers' associations to become its members. It has, therefore, no 

 legal basis, except what is generally known as common law ; it 

 has no code of rules laid down by Act of Parliament; it has no 

 money placed at its disposal ; it cannot, therefore, do what its 

 members desire to do for the go'od and progress of the industry 

 which it tries to represent, hence it is called a useless Board, 

 and it is criticised adversely by the press and people. Then its 

 members feel humiliated and disgusted when they see all this 

 .unjust criticism. Still they attend the meetings once a month, 

 at their own expense of both time and money ; and I believe it 

 [ has been the feeling of the Board to resign in a body, but they 

 did not wish to do anything which might tend to injure the 

 wine industry, nor did they think it would be worthy of them 

 to do so, and they are glad to meet this Conference to-day and. 



