Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1912-08-30
The stringency Of this new law is revealed by
the Star-Bulletin's Washington correspondent,
who writes this paper as follows:

who writes this paper as follows:
Whenever the secretary OF agriculture shall de-
tcrmine that the unrestricted Importation of any
plants fruits vegetables roots, bulbs, seeds other
plant products not included in the term nursery
stock may result in the entry into the United
any territories injurious plant
insect pests. he may establish a drastic
quarantine against the places of expectation. hear
ing must be given in public all interested parties
before a quarantine edict is promulgated.
1t is especially provided that 'the quarantine pro-
Visions applying the white-pine blister rust
potato and the Mediterranean fruit fly shall be-
come and be effective upon the passage this act
With the possibility of HawaiS fresh pine
apples and bananas being barred from Caifor
MIA, it behoovrS local businessmen and CONNER
cial bodies to beStr themselves. 1t is true that
DR.. g. l.. Marlatt, the noted federal cntOm0l-
GgiSt, who is now here, SAYS reassurnglv
that there is not likely to be an immediate
change in the present quarantine system, and
that the conditions will probably remain as they
are under the present system, which is a sort Of
unofficial arrangement between Hawaii and
California.
But adds Dr. Marlatt, the federal govern
ment is going to see that fruit and plant eXpor-
tatOns are properly inspected.
1t is quite plain, then that unless this new
inspection system works out satisfactorily, Ha-
wall is in great danger of having the bars put
up on the export Of all fresh fruits, which would
wreck prospecting banana and pineapple trade.
Moreover, it is to be noted that on the very day
DR. Marlatt arrived here the secretary of agri-
culture declared his intention Of establishing the
strict quarantine and gave official notice of the
hearings to be held
Under such circumstances, Hawaii can i'll af-
ford to depend upon fortune to favor her fruit
trade. The local commercial bodies have con
tended throughout the fruit-fly controversy that
the pest does not breed in fresh pineapples and
bananas, and this contention should be at once
submitted to the secretary of agriculture in such
form that it will carry weight. The system of
inspection to be developed by the federal govern
ment should be given every possible assistance
by. Hawaii One of the most serious charges
against the present system has been that it was
lax and Ineffective The searching of passen-
gers baggage, it was charged has been desut-
DRY and in many cases not carried out at all.
The Star Bulletin places no credence in some of
these charges, but with the federal quarantine
pending not one lOophOle for the dangerous pest
to go through should be left unguarded
Months of agitation of this subject has now
brought the territory under the minute scrutiny
of the federal department of agriculture. Ha-
waits fresh fruit trade is in the balance 1t will
be inexcusable negligence if the resources of the
territory and of Hawais businessmen are not
swung in with the federal strength in the cam
paign to protect Hawaii's trade.