Prefer Big Ships?

Rhinoceros Beetles Prefer Big Ships?

PRE-SAILING inspection of the

large inter-island ships is com pulsory in Fiji as a measure in the Rhinoceros beetle campaign. But smaller cutters and launches can move about at will.

This extraordinary feature of Fiji’s blitz on the Rhinoceros beetle —which is designed to prevent the spread of the pest from Viti Levu to the main copra-producing islands of the Colony—was brought to public attention in September.

A year ago the Eradication Board, in a statement, noted that a strict inspection of inter-island vessels before departure from Viti Levu ports would be one of the most important features of the campaign.

But it appears that inspection is confined to the few larger craft, while the numerous smaller craft move back and forth without hindrance.

Reasons given for this laxity are cost of employing a large inspection staff; and the inconvenience that would result if small vessels were forced to clear from a main “in spection” port, perhaps miles off their course, when they wished to make a short voyage to a nearby island.

Although no beetles have yet been tound on other islands of the group they may have already spread there!

It is believed that the beetles had arrived in Viti Levu several years before the first signs of damage were noted.

It appears to the layman that almost any financial outlay and in convenience is warranted if spread of the beetle is stopped.

The present partial quarantine seems a complete waste of money.

It has certainly never been shown that Rhinoceros beetles prefer to travel in the greater luxury of the Colony’s larger vessels.