A BILL TO ERADICATE NOXIOUS ANIMALS AND AGRICULTURAL "WEEDS"

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 21, 20 October 1920, Page 8

A BILL TO ERADICATE NOXIOUS ANIMALS AND AGRICULTURAL "WEEDS"

Sir*—Whereas the Budget discloses that' the expenditure upon shell sen-ices as were mentioned in the first, reading of this Bill have'leaped up to the stupendous total sum of .£578,309 per annum, and whereas such alleged services have been shown to be merely perfunctory, and further that the foresight of such men as Sir Harry Atkinson in providing the fair lands of Taranaki with numerous reserves and endowments has been defeated and they are transformed into a harbour for noxious weeds,, thus robbing the settler of his labours; mid whereas such', reserves under the supino carelessness of the Government have and ate spreading their blight in.the form of blackberry- and rabbits at an alarming rate in other districts—u 19 'herein- onacted that in lieu of this wasteful neglect, the sum of- .£2500 per annum be handed to ea-.h of the 120 county councils, and. .£28,000 be used to secure the necessary co-ordination, scientific advice, and expert assistance, and that the remaining sum of- J8250.000 per annum he u«ed io foster production and reduce the necessaries of life County Councillors ceentially practical men. and ns each could work in his own district and for the interest? of his own people, the result would be a revelation. ■ 1 lie- people are being led by Departmental extravaeance. inefficiency, and "Government stroke," to the policy of priva e expenditure and go-slow, which is heading to a collapse. Resentment from he vested interests of the service is what leads o failure, and it will probably prevail in this as in every other case. The Bill will therefore be read this day six n,onths.-I am, etc., KQma^.