WORK FOR THE UNEMPLOYED

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 13

WORK FOR THE UNEMPLOYED

CLEARING MANUKA-INFESTED LANDS. A sub-committee consisting of Messrs A. C. Cameron (chairman), J. Clarke, R. Potts, D. Sutherland, W. Stuart, R. B. Tennent, and G. A. Stuart was recently set up by the Otago Provincial Council New Zealand Farmers’ Union to consider the advisability of recommending the Government to use unemployed to clear and grass manuka-infested, lands. Facts were placed before the committee which proved that manuka was spreading rapidly in certain parts of Otago, and was in many cases spreading over good grazing country. As an instance it was stated that between Glenore and Beaumont station there were 20,000 acres in manuka which was spreading at the rate of 1000 acres per annum. Manuka was also getting a hold in such splendid sheep country as the Hukarere. Valuable information was contributed by Messrs R. B. Tennent (Department of Agriculture) and G. A. Holmes (technical expert to the National' Mortgage and Agency Company, Ltd.) and Mr W. Stuart, Lawrence, as to the actual trials carried out and costs of clearing, etc. The most effective methods of felling, burning, and sowing grass seed were also discussed and details submitted of the kind of grass to be recommended. It was agreed that the problem of the freeholder was different from that of the Crown lands tenant, and the opinion was expressed that the first move should be made on Crown lands. After some three hours’ deliberation the following resolutions were carried unanimously:— 1. “ This committee views with alarm the spread of manuka in Otago, and is of the opinion that immediate steps should be taken to combat it.”

2. “ This committee is of opinion that certain areas - of manuka land in this province will repay the cost of clearing and sowing down in grass if finance can be arranged; certain areas will not pay the cost of clearing anil sowing.” 3. “In the opinion of this committee the first step to be taken is to set up in Otago a deteriorated lands committee to consist of (say) : The commissioner of Crown lands, the field superintendent of the Department of Agriculture, two experienced farmers, one representative of the Otago Provincial Council N.Z.F.U., one representative of the executive of the Sheep Owners’ Federation, - one representative of the executive of the Otago A. and P. Society, and one representative of the stock and station firms, this deteriorated lands’ committee to go into the whole question of deteriorated lands in Otago and report on the spread and control of manuka, control of ragwort, gorse, question of draining land, etc., with the idea of making strong recommendations ' for utilisation of unemployed labour upon the reclamation of farm lands the expenses of this committee to be borne, by the Government.” (The committee is of opinion that, if the Government is not prepared to pay the expenses the suggested committee should be set up and the .expenses paid by the bodies concerned as the matter is of such vital importance.) 4. “ This committee is of opinion that the matter is one of extreme urgency as the unemployment problem is serious and the reclamation of certain land, to be effective, should be commenced immediately.” 5. “ This committee is of opinion that much of the unemployment work upon which men are at present being employed is of a trifling nature, and that funds are being spent which will never show any return. In the opinion of this committee much of this money could be spent far more profitably upon the clearing and reclamation of land in Otago.”. .