SPREAD OF TALL FESCUE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5113, 11 April 1927, Page 2

SPREAD OF TALL FESCUE

INTERVIEWING THE MINISTERS. COnOPERATION DESIRABLE. Following on the attention draw.) l.y this paper to tne seriousness of tiie spread on the Hauraki Plains of tall fescue grass, settlers in many parts of the county have discussed the advisability of approaching the Hon. Ministers of Lands and Public Works with the idea of-seeking the co-operation of the Government In the problem of dealing with the menace. Whether any deputations on the subject result remains to be seen, but we strongly commend the idea. The difficulty seems to be to know what to ask for. To havq tall fescue grass included in the schedule of the Noxious Weeds Act' so that the County Council may bring it within the provisions of the Act, seems desirable, provided some means can be evolved for enforcing those provisions without imposing undue hardship. However, to have it declared a noxious weed is the first and most difficult step. Another and probably better solution would be to ask the Ministers to endeavour to get the Agricultural Department to thoroughly investigate the problem with a view’ to dealing with the menace. One of the major matters necessitating the visit to the district of the Minister of Lands is the problem of the Orongo settlers, who are forced to abandon their farms on account of the tall fescue. With the effect of the fescue so forcibly and thoroughly brought before his notice the Minister of Lands is probably the very best member of the Cabinet to approach on the subject of means of preventing the whole of the Hauraki district becoming affected like the Orongo Block.