NOXIOUS WEEDS EVIL

Hokitika Guardian, 3 September 1929, Page 7

NOXIOUS WEEDS EVIL

GOVERNMENT URGED TO ACT,

WELLINGTON, August 25,

The co-operation of the farmers with the department in its attempt to eradicate the noxious weed evil was urged by the Minister of Agriculture (Mr G. \V. Forbes) in die House of Representatives to-day. Replying to a discussion on the subject Mr i’orbes said Unit some members had urged a more rigid enforcement of the law and had suggested that more prosecutions should be made.

Air W. I). Lysiiar (Gisborne): Fiusecutious won’t help. Mr Forbes agreed that prosecutions had not helped to solve the problem of noxious weeds. What was required was the whole-hearted co-operation' of tiro farmers. The Government could not do much unless the farmers realised the seriousness of the .position. Many of them, did, but unfortunately there were others who allowed the weeds to spread. The Minister instanced the rabbit boards as a successful check of the rabbit pest, and stated that if similar boards were set up to deal with noxious weeds the problem would be solved. Everything possible was being done by the Department, but, as he had pointed out, the co-operation of the farmers was required. He had assured deputations of farmers that the Go »eminent was prepared even to grant financial assistance to boards, but no definite move had been made to establish such bodies.

Mr Dysnar: The Farmers’ Union in my district has made a proposal for a board.

The Minister: We had no definite proposal put forward in regard !o this question of the formation of boards.

Mr Lysnar: Oh yes, you did

Mr Forbes concluded by stating that as far as his department was concerned the officers had been instructed to do everything possible to keep noxious weeds under control, and if possible to eradicate them altogether. ■ yir George Hunter (Waipawa) expressed satisfaction that the Minister was cognisant of the position. Peison ally he thought that in a mailer of the kind the lead should conic from the Government.'

Mr Forbes: The farmers own the land.

“Yes, and the Government occupies the Treasury 'benches,” said Sir George. “We look to it to vented) the evil. The position is not satisfactory. It is serious.” ! Sir George said he hoped the Minister would seriously consider the question of dealing with the lands, partly infested. It would be a shame if those lands were allowed to become wholly infested. Ho trusted that the Minister woud reconsider the matter and bring down a scheme this session to check what was admittedly an evil. The Minister of Education (Mr H. Atrnore) expressed the opinion that biological control was the only way in which tho problem could be solved. He paid a tribute to the work being done in that direction- at" I ,the Cuuthron Institute.