389 
that it is desirable that an International Committee be 
appointed by this Congress to consider how far the 
proposals in question are applicable to tropical 
countries.” 
The resolution, which is of a non-committal nature, ‘thas been 
put forward principally as there is a general feeling amongst 
working entomologists that certain articles of the Convention 
appear to impose limitations that would be disadvantageous 
to countries with which we are concerned, and that other 
articles, more particularly Article IV, afford an opening for 
the unrestricted introduction of plants liable to introduce serious 
pests. It appears to me that the last item—‘‘ any crops grown 
on a large scale ’’—would, if I read it rightly, vitiate the whole 
basis of legislation. It would exempt the staple products of 
any country which it is desirable to protect. With these few 
words I should like to leave the resolution for the considera- 
tion of members, who are in a better position at the present 
moment to discuss its merits. 
Dr. L. H. Goucu, Ph.D. (Chief, Entomological Section, 
Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt): Mr. President and Gentle- 
men—In seconding the proposal, I wish to draw attention 
specially to Article X of the Convention, which requires that each 
country shall draw up a very short list of the pests against 
which it wants to be protected. Agricultural conditions do 
not permit of drawing up a short list of plant enemies against 
which one wants tc make a stand. If I were asked what should 
be done, I should say that it would be best to draw up a list 
of the insects against which I do not wish to legislate, namely, 
the commonest pests of the country. Every other insect I 
would strictly bar. The conditions in temperate climates and 
in the tropics are very different. In the temperate countries 
the exchange of destructive insects has already taken place to 
a very great extent. In tropical countries the exchange is 
only just beginning, and at the present moment any new insect 
that gets introduced into a tropical country is likely to become 
a very serious pest. This seems to me to be one of the chief 
weaknesses of the Convention, and I think it would be advan- 
tageous if a committee of this Congress were to consider the 
question before it goes much further. 
My remarks are made purely in my personal character as a 
scientist, and not as Government delegate, as I have not yet 
had a chance of discussing the matter with my superior 
officers. 
Lieut.-Col. Sir Davip Prain (Director, Royal Botanic 
Gardens, Kew): May I ask what the powers of this committee 
would be, to whom this committee would report, and what the 
object of passing such a resolution is? 
