asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether he is aware that broom-corn or sorghum, infected with the European bore worm, and broom-heads manufactured from it, are being imported from Italy; and whether he is aware that Italian broom-corn and brushes manufactured from it are shut out of South Africa, Australia, the United States, and other countries because of the ravages of the bore worm pest; and whether the Minister proposes to protect our farmers by immediately prohibiting the importation of Italian broom-corn into this country.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - IMPORTATION OF ITALIAN BROOM CORN.
Mr. HOGAN
As none of the plants which are infected by the pest referred to are grown in this country, the Department do not apprehend any risk from the possible introduction of this pest. I do not, therefore, propose to take the step suggested in the concluding portion of the question.