“The Yellow Mortgagee"

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 101, 23 January 1935, Page 11

“The Yellow Mortgagee"

Sir, —-New Zealand is fast passing into the hands of the “Yellow Mortgagee,” otherwise called ragwort. Once he gains possession there can be no hope of a reduction of interest or rent; it means ruin for the farmer and his stock.

Yet we are dealing with this life-and-death matter in such a careless, indifferent way, that one 'would think there is no danger at all. According to our law it is sufficient that this weed be cut when in full flower and let lie on the ground where it is cut.

Even that law is not being enforced, for everywhere along main roads one sees plants standing in full bloom. In any case, it is only a waste of time and labour to cut blooming ragwort and leave it on the ground, for there is sufficient sap in the stalks to ripen the seed. The only safe course is to stow it away where the sqn cannot reach it, or burn it. To cut it is only a temporary means of dealing with it. And where there are large areas it is out of the question to treat them with sodium chlorate. The best way to keep ragwort down is to feed it off with sheep. But in order to do that the country must be subdivided into suitable areas.

The present cost of plain fencing wire being over £2O per ton, and barbed nearly £3O, makes fencing prohibitive. AVhcn fencing wire is made available to farmers at £lO per ton. there will be some chance of dealing effectively with noxious weeds. But meanwhile they are increasing at such a rate that -before long there will be no room for -pasture in New Zealand. Just because a few short-sighted people might say that for the Government to enable farmers to obtain wire at reduced cost would be an unfair subsidy, are we going to allow the terrible yellow mortgagee to take possession of this rich and beautiful country? There is no room on any farm for both the farmer and ragwort, one will very soon have to get out. As an immediate means of checking this weed from seeding, I would suggest that in all places wherg it is growing among gorse and scrub, they be burned standing after first removing stock to a safe place, and seeing that the wind is in the right direction. But cheap fencing and much stricter noxious weeds regulations should be our last and most solid line of defence. If this question were handled as I suggest unemployment would be greatly reduced, the health, quality, and numbers of our stock would be enormously benefited and increased, noxious weeds eradicated automatically, and revenue almost doubled. Of course, on dairy farms it would be necessary to use sodium chlorate. The time has come when the people should insist upon the Government and local bodies, who arc among tho chief offenders, keeping ragwort down on their lands. I think that the control of noxious weeds should be placed in the hands of the County Councils, for the present system of Government inspection is useless and Utterly ineffective. I suggest that without delay in every district throughout the North Island the farmers call meetings to decide upon tho best means of dealing with the yellow mortgagee.—l am, etc., G. F. MOORE. Bushy Park. Wanganui. January 19.