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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

LTCO 885

23 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

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As regards the date for the Conference, in suggesting the month of June, the Sub-Committee has been influenced by the fact that the International Botanical Congress, at which many of the Government mycologists will, no doubt, have been present, meets in the latter part of May, and that an International Entomological Congress is expected to be held at Vienna in the summer, probably at the beginning of September in any case, August, the month originally suggested, seems to be inconvenient, for various reasons into which I need not now enter.

18290

No. 81.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNORS-GENERAL AND GOVERNORS OF THE SELF-GOVERNING DOMINIONS.

(Canada. No. 398.)

(Australia. No. 330.)

(New South Wales. No. 65.)

(Victoria. No. 32.)

(Queensland. No. 44.)

(South Australia. No. 38.)

[SIR] [MY LORD],

(Western Australia. No. 37.) (Tasmania. No. 39.)

(New Zealand. No. 226.)

(Union of South Africa. No. 239.) (Newfoundland. No. 166.)

Downing Street, 29th May, 1914.

I HAVE the honour to request [Your Royal Highness] [Your Excellency] [you], to inform your Ministers that the Imperial Bureau of Entomology has submitted a proposal that the official entomologists of the Empire should be invited to a Con- ference in London, during the latter part of July, 1915, for the purpose of discussing the interests of the self-governing various questions which closely concern Dominions and the Colonies not possessing Responsible Government and India.

2. The Managing Committee of the Bureau have drafted a list of subjects* for discussion, a copy of which is enclosed; but, in putting forward this programme, they wish it to be understood that it is only provisional, and that they would be glad to receive any suggestions which your Government may have to make for adding to or amending the list of subjects.

3. The Committee consider that a Conference of this nature would serve a number of useful purposes; but I may mention two in particular; first, it would be valuable as bringing together the official entomologists, who could discuss problems of Imperial importance in the prevention of the spread of insect-borne diseases; and second, it would afford an opportunity of placing the entomologists in closer touch with the Bureau of Entomology, and of settling lines on which the Bureau may render further assistance to the different parts of the Empire.

4. The Committee have called special attention to the second subject in the enclosed list, viz., "The regulation of plant imports, the inspection of imports and Imperial co-operation in protective legislation: the desirability of establishing an Empire Convention in preparation for the next International Phytopathological Conference." This they regard as of the first importance, in view of the possible estab- lishment of an International Convention as to plant importation, and the desirability of thorough discussion of the matter from an Imperial aspect before another Phyto- pathological Conference, such as was held this year at Rome, takes place. They point out, however, that it is hardly practicable to dissociate the entomological and mycological sides of this question, and it is suggested that the value of the discussion on it might be seriously impaired if the official mycologists, who are concerned with the prevention of the introduction of plant diseases, are not present. It is, therefore, a matter for consideration whether arrangements should not be made for the Govern- ment mycologists or officers responsible for this work to attend the Conference as well as the entomologists, in order that they may take part in the discussion on this and also on any other subjects where co-operation between the entomological and myco- logical departments is desirable. In connection with protective legislation, I may observe that the Bureau has in preparation a summary of the existing legislation in the Empire in respect of plant importation and the regulation of plant disease, and the Director states that he hopes to be in a position shortly to issue this sum-

mary.

1. The past and future work Annexure 2 to No. 80.

house-flies and mosquitoes in towns'

in

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5. In suggesting that the Conference should be held in the latter part of July, 1915, the Committee have had in mind the facts that the International Botanical Congress, at which official mycologists from the Dominions and Colonies will very possibly be present, is to meet in May, and that the International Entomological Congress is expected to take place at Vienna before the end of the summer of 1915, probably at the beginning of September. The mycologists who attend the Botanical Congress would no doubt find it convenient to remain in England for the proposed Conference, while the entomologists who would be visiting Europe in connexion with the Vienna Congress could consult together in advance on questions which will there come under discussion a month or so later.

6. The proposal made by the Imperial Bureau of Entomology has my full approval and support, and I trust that your Ministers will give it their favourable consideration. I should be obliged if you would inform me as soon as possible whether your Government concurs in the proposal generally, whether arrangements can be made for the Government entomologist (or officer responsible for entomological work) to attend the Conference, and what view your Government takes as to the representation of the mycological department at the discussions.

7. [To Australia only: I have addressed similar despatches to the Governors of the Australian States.]

I have, &c.,

L. HARCOURT.

17914

No. 82.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNORS, &c., OF THE CROWN AND OTHER COLONIES AND PROTECTORATES.*

(Circular.)

SIR,

Downing Street, 29th May, 1914. I HAVE the honour to inform you that the Imperial Bureau of Entomology has submitted a proposal that the official entomologists 81]

[See No. I havé, &c.,

L. HARCOURT.

17914

No. 83.

COLONIAL OFFICE to FOREIGN OFFICE AND INDIA OFFICE. SIR,

Downing Street, 29th May, 1914. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to state, for the information of [Secretary Sir E. Grey] [the Marquess of Crewe], that the Imperial Bureau of Ento- mology has submitted a proposal that the official entomologists of the Empire should be invited to a Conference in London during the latter part of July, 1915, for the purpose of discussing various questions which closely concern the interests of all parts of the Empire, and I am to request that, if he sees no objection [Sir E. Grey] [Lord Crewe], will be good enough to consult the [Governments of Egypt and the Sudan] [Government of India] as to their willingness to send delegates to such a Conference.

2. The Managing Committee of the Bureau have drafted a list of subjects for discussion, a copy of which is enclosed; but in putting forward this programme, they wish it to be understood that it is only provisional, and that they would be glad to receive any suggestions which the [Governments of Egypt and the Sudan] [Indian Government] may have to make for adding to, or amending, the list of subjects.

• East Africa Protectorate.

Uganda.

Nyasaland.

Zanzibar.

South Africa. Gambia.

Sierra Leone.

Gold Coast.

Nigeria. Ceylon.

Fiji.

Commonwealth of Australia

for Papua.

Straits Settlements.

Federated Malay States.

Hong Kong,

† See Annexure 2 to No. 80.

Seychelles. Mauritius.

British Guiana.

Trinidad.

British Honduras.

Jamnica.

Leeward Islands.

Windward Islands.