The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1903-11-27
FEDERAL AID
IS NEEDED
The Collector Questions
Right to Exclude
Pests.

| CHtil tne bOaTu OF Agriculture car
secure the effectual cooperation of the
Federal authorities its efforts to pre-
vent the introduction of pests into
Hawaii is likely to prove a failure.
Steps were taken Wednesday, however,
which will no doubt lead to the active
aid of the Department of Agriculture
at Washington in the work now being
done by the Board of Agriculture in
the Islands
The question Of the insufficiency of
the present measures to prevent the
importation of pests was raised in a
series of reports from G. w. Kirkaldy,
the entomologist who came here from
England short time ago, at the re-
| quest Of the board. Mr.. Kirkaldy
said in his first communication that he
had learned that extensive importa-
lions of pineapples are to be made at
Hilo and Honolulu. In a second let
ter there is a statement that large
number Of small ferns and cut plants
are being imported through the post
without undergoing inspection, and
that without the cooperation of the
postal authorities it is impossible to
prevent the Importation of pests
through the mail.
Still a third letter stated that Mr..
kirkaldy had condemned a shipment
of alligator pears and pineapples from
Australia to G. Kunst. The reasons
given for the condemnation were: the
regulation prohibiting the importation
of any fruit from Australia and also
because the pears were rotten and the
pineapples were covered will. small
scale.
a package of cocoa pods from Samoa
for the United States Experiment Sta
ton is also being held for examina ton,
Mr.. Fhurston stated that a still more
serious obstacle in the work was to
be considered. Collector Stackable
had notified Mr.. Austin that he would
not deliver up the package from Aus
tralia unless authority was given by
the importer, Mr.. Kunst. Mr. Kunst
had agreed to this and the trouble is
for the present averted.
Mr.. Thurston stated that the Col
lector's position is that the Territory
has no authority to take an importa-
ton unless with the permission Of the
Treasury Department. Mr. Stackable
Is willing to assist the work as much
as he could but insisted that authority
must first be obtained from the impor-
ter, beforel any. Importation could be
delivered to the Territorial, inspector.
Mr.. Thurston stated that q commune
cation had been sent on the Ventura
asking the Treasury Department for
rules and regulations in regard to the
authority of the Territory. Mr.. Gift
fard said he disagreed with the Collec-
tor, that he didn't believe the Federal
authorities had any desire to interfere
with the work being done, and even IL
there was discretionary power with the
collector, the Department would prefer
that it not be exercised to embarrass
the Board. Mr.. Giffard further said
that it was necessary to have the as
sistance of both Federal and Terri
torial authorities and advised that the
matter be settled once and for all as
soon as possible.
Mr.. Carter suggested that the Col
lector be requested to ask the Treasury
Department for positive instructions
in dealing with plant importations and
that the Board ask the Department of
Agriculture at Washington for it's CO.
operation, as other importers might
not be so willing TO assist as was Mr..
kunst. This was agreed to and the
discussion ended