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

the StarBuletin's Washington correspondent,
who writes this paper 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
Of its territories of injurious plant dis
insect pests, he may establish a drastic
quarantine against the places of expectation A hear
ing must be given in public to all interested parties
before quarantine edct is promulgated
1t is especially provided that the quarantine pro-
visions, applying the white-pine blister rust
potato wart and the Mediterranean fruit fly, shall be-
come and be effective upon the passage of this
With the possibility of Hawaii's fresh pine
apples and bananas being barred from Califor-
MIA, it bchOOves local businessmen and CONNER
cial bodies to bestir themselves. 1t is true that
Dr. {. l.. Marlatt, the noted federal entOmol-
ogist, who is now here says reassuringly
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 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-
tations 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 ill af-
ford to9depend upon fortune to favor her fruit
trade. The local commercial bodies have con-
tended throughout the fruitfly controversy that
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 he's been that it was
lax and ineffective. The. searching of passen-
gers baggage it was charged, has been desult-
DRY and In many cases not carried out at all.
The Star Bulletin places no credence in some of
these charges, bnt 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 Hawaii's businessmen are not
Iswung in with the federal strength in the cam
paign to protect Hawaii's trade. ".z