Why Not Grow Derris

Root In Territories?

Letter to the Editor rE Service Department of Sydney “Bulletin” was asked from which countries are supplies of derris root obtained and the latest prices of the root; and it replied: “Before the war it was obtained from Malaya and adjacent parts of Asia; stocks now come from Brazil under lease-lend arrangements. Last supplies were sold at 1/6 per pound.”

Knowing that derris root was grown at Keravah (New Britain) I felt when read ing this that it called for comment. But I have been unable to find any reference to derris being exported, or even grown in the Territory, in the New Guinea Handbook or the New Guinea Agricul tural Gazette, March, 1940—the only likely books of reference I have access to.

The farmers in this district (Gresford, NSW) complain bitterly that they are unable to obtain this very valuable pest eradicator; and I wondered if there was anything you could do about stirring up the powers that be to start production of derris root in New Guinea as soon as possible.

I am, etc.,

J. M. Price.

EDITORIAL NOTE: There were far reaching and apparently successful ex periments with Derris, both in Australia and in New Guinea, before the war; but, as usual, attempts at local production were killed by vested interests handling the oversea product. There is no reason on earth why Papua and New Guinea should not now produce Derris, at a lesser cost to Australian farmers than 1/6 per pound—except that such things are left

to Australia’s muddling Ministers and bureaucrats—the same people who, being responsible for organising Australian production during the past three years, have brought Australia to the edge of a very grave food shortage.

The Rev. E. R. Elder, of the Anglican Mission, has recently returned to Aus tralia after a number of years in Fiji.