RAGWORT CONTROL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 19, 30 October 1942, Page 5

RAGWORT CONTROL

I . PROBLEM OF NATIVE LANDS J * f ..NO HELP FROM GOVERNMENT Strong condemnation of the "Government's apparent disinterestedness in connection with the introduction of effective legisla- . tion which will enforce the eraF - d'ication of rag-wort on all privately owned Native lands was voiced at the meeting of the ' County Council last Tuesday when in response to the l'ate&t "representations from the Coun- ■ cil the Minister- of Agriculture practically admitted the futility of even: trying to enforce action. The letter stated that insofar as -Native lands were concerned the re--sponsifoility should rest on the legal occupier, but if the occupier had no tenancy it was usually useless to try and get anything done. The chief difficulty regarding Native lands was that they arc not portioned between the respective owners, and as the owners were difficult or -almost impossible to locate, it was not possible to get anyone who would accept responsibility. Such ' difficulty, it was stated, Avas no doubt very largely responsible for the initiation of the scheme Avhere--toy these lands could, be dealt with County Councils in order that other lands on which work was possible might be protected somewhat. . - The chairman, Mr J. L. Burnett, » said it was very obvious that the. •Council could not expect any help ■ from the Legislation was needed to make control uniform and until that was forthcoming littie or no real headway could be exipected. Cr McGougan: I suppose Ave can -only keep at them ! The chairman: The Government's attitude is apparently that the money is made available for eradication to utilise the labour that is •offering. •*- Cr McCready: The money is th« least important aspect. If the Maoris ~vyould be prepared to put in just 3avo hours a day Ave could cflean .it •Hp. But if no effort is being made 1 at all, in twelve months time the position will be as bad as. ever. I'm &vith Cr McGougan to 'keep at them! Cr Luxton pointed out that the --question Avas an annual one but unless it was properly handled, it was quite possible that AAdthin the lifetime of many farmers to-day it • would again be completely out of -control. It Avas quite useless spending thousands of pounds annually when there was no onus on the individual occupier. The Clerk added that representations had been made to almost every JMiinister of the CroAvn but Avithout -any real progress being achieved. Cr McGougan: The money provided is merely a sop ! Cr Luxtonc If Ave appeal for a loan for road 'tvork or bridge construction, AA'e meet with no reply. Yet Avhile we have £2000 to spend - on labour, and are armed witih no t legal powers to prdsecute Maori land OAvners Avho refuse clear their «Av r n 'lands, it is like money thrown away. The Council decided, to approach "the Government again, stressing the •urgent necessity of framing legislation making it encumbent on all -occupiers, Maori and Pakcha. to •clear and destroy ragwort,