Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1919. GOATSRUE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2014, 12 August 1919, Page 2

Manawatu Herald TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1919. GOATSRUE.

SPEAKING at the Farmers’ Union meeting at Palmerston N. on Saturday, Mr B. G. Gower, a local farmer, said one of the greatest evils in connection with the Hooding of the Manawatu Kiver was the spread of goalsrnc, a noxious weed, the growth of which, if not checked, will prove as great a menace to the fertile lands of this district as is the blackberry in other districts. Mr Gower added that until the local authorities “got some system of drainage—wo presume a scheme to relieve the congested food waters of the Manawatu—hundreds of acres would be ruined by the spread of this plant." lie stated that the Government had refused to put: it in the Noxious Weeds list. Whether this be so or not, local governing bodies have the power to do so. Some years ago the Woodville County Council declared goatsrue a noxious weed, and on request from the Flaxmillers’ Association the •Kairanga County took similar steps, hut the Manawatu County Council has refused to act,- until steps are taken by the Government to eradicate the weed at its source. The weed lias taken possession of some of the swamps, and lias made its appearance at Moittoa. It is stated that the Government was responsible for the introduction of the plant as a fodder, hut cattle do not relish it. Mr Wm. .Ross, at the same meeting, also stressed the menace of the weed, and urged that the Government should take steps to clear Crown lauds of it. In the meantime, the Manawatu County shoftld declare goatsrue a noxious weed within its juris* diction, and in conjunction with other’ bodies compel the Government to eradicate it at the source. To sit back and'take no action until the Government moves is a foolish poll*

cy. No lime should be lost in ■waging war against this noxious growth, which threatens some of the finest grazing land on this coast..