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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

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C.O. 885

20 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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(2.) The first step to be taken is to prepare a classified list of such pests as now exist in each part of the Empire, arranged according to the present degree of injury they cause and the commercial importance of their hosts.

As there is some doubt as to the correct scientific nomenclature of certain pests, specimens of each insect could be sent with the list to the Entomological Research Committee appointed by the Colonial Office, for identification and confirmation.

The list, when prepared, would be published by the Committee and communi- cated to the various Colonies and Dependencies of the Empire.

(3.) Each Colony and Dependency might be invited to prepare a survey of the diseases of agricultural crops on lines to be agreed upon, showing not only which pests occur in each country, but their extent and intensity.

This survey would be kept up to date by subsequent periodic reports, to be sent to the Committee, showing the spread or disappearance of such pests, with an account of the means taken for their control.

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These reports would be communicated by the Committee at frequent intervals to the other Governments concerned.

It would then be possible for each Government to adapt its importation regula- tions to the conditions prevalent in the country whence the produce is imported.

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES ON THE ABOVE.

Paragraph 1. The present proposal is to obtain and supply to all the Colonies definite information regarding the dangers existing in the Empire, so that the Colonies may know the specific dangers they have to guard against. To do this, each Colony must know the dangers existing in the other Colonies, and it is this particular information which it is hoped to obtain and to supply to all. There are at present hindrances to trade arising from defective knowledge, which are needless, as not conferring any real advantage; there are dangers not guarded against because of defective knowledge, and it is probable both of these will increase rather than diminish as there is more inter-communication.

The tendency to increase restrictions is growing, and already the list of pests Restrictions once imposed are in the case of some Colonies is a formidable one.

Moreover, the restrictions are seldom withdrawn, even if they prove useless. not always directed against the disease most likely to prove injurious. It is possible that in certain cases restrictions would not be imposed and, in others, would be made less severe if based on a study of the disease in the country from which the plants are to be imported, as well as on an investigation of the diseases existing in the country to which the plants are to be sent.

Paragraph 2. The detailed working of the present proposal would be as follows: The Agricultural Department would prepare and forward to the Entomo- logical Research Committee a memorandum (with specimens) showing the important pests and diseases occurring in the Colony classed for convenience under crops. It is hoped that it may be possible to add information regarding the intensity and extent of the disease. The Committee would then identify and tabulate the material and prepare the memorandum for publication.

After sending in the first memorandum, an Agricultural Department could with little difficulty send notice of additional pests or food plants. The first memorandum would probably in some cases be little more than a statement that certain pests were known to attack certain crops, but that the pests of these crops were not fully known. Such information is definite and enables other parts of the Empire to know what to do in regard to imports from that place.

a simple one, Paragraph 3. The survey which it is suggested should be made, since every Agricultural Department is engaged in collecting information regarding the economic pests of its own country. The pests should be divided into three classes :-

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(a) Pests which are widely distributed and well established;

(b) Pests which are liable to become epidemic or are not well established; (c) Pests which are rare or recently discovered.

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No. 86.

WINDWARD ISLANDS (ST. LUCIA).

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 13 June, 1911.) [Answered by No. 112.]

(St. Lucia. No. 80.)

Grenada, 23rd May, 1911. SUBMITTED with reference to my despatch, Grenada (General), No. 103, of the 15th instant.*

So far as St. Lucia is concerned, Dr. Nicholls will do admirably as the local centre, and we are fortunate in having him available for the purpose.

J. HAYES SADLER,

(St. Lucia. No. 86.)

Governor.

SIR,

Government House, St. Lucia, 15th May, 1911. REFERRING to the Secretary of State's despatch, Windward Islands, Miscel- laneous, of 22nd March last,† which has been forwarded to me by Your Excellency for report, I have the honour to enclose copy of a minute on the subject from Dr. L. Nicholls, one of the General Medical Staff here and Bacteriologist for the Island, the only medical man in the place with the necessary training and temperament, and the time, to devote himself to the study of local entomology.

2. I concur with Dr. Nicholls that something more definite as to the nature of the "co-operation desired would appear to be desirable before we can pro- nounce as to the possiblity of falling in with it, and an insignificant unit like this can scarely very well make definite suggestions to an important Imperial Committee on a large subject of this kind.

3. Speaking broadly and without knowledge of what the authorities exactly have in their mind in this connection, it would appear to me that St. Lucia, happen- ing to possess an officer like Dr. Nicholls, could acquiesce in his becoming a kind of corresponding associate of the Entomological Research Committee, forwarding to them, direct, specimens and notes from time to time, which, as he suggests, might prove of use and interest to them. These would be in addition to the semi-annual laboratory reports now printed in England with which the Committee are probably supplied.

4. Beyond this, at present, I do not quite see that there is much that we could do.

I have, &c.,

His Excellency

EDWARD J. CAMERON,

Lieut.-Colonel Sir James Hayes Sadler, K.C.M.G., C.B.,

&c.,

HIS HONOUR,

&c.,

Grenada.

&c.,

Administrator.

Enclosure in No. 86.

Dr. NICHOLLS to ADMINISTRATOR.

I HAVE seen Mr. Moore on this matter; he informs me that very little ento- mology is done in his department, first, because they have not the time, and secondly, because a considerable amount of technical knowledge is required. He is also expected to send the few specimens that come to hand to Barbados headquarters.

Myself, I do a considerable amount of entomology, as is shown by my reports, I also often receive requisitions for specimens, which I always send if possible.

Colonial Office,

31 May, 1911.

22756

• No. 83.

† No. 78.

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