RAGWORT MAGE.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 281, 28 March 1929, Page 6

RAGWORT MAGE.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. Matter to be Looked Into. The spread of ragwort in portions of the Putaruru district and the need for Government assistance to cope ■with this menace was brought before the Minister of Lands and Agriculture, Hon. G. W. Forbes, by a deputation from the Putaruru branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union during his visit to Putaruru on Thursday afternoon. Mr. A. R. Vosper said the increase of ragwort was noted with some alarm by farmers and at a meeting of the Putaruru branch of the Farm-

would realise that the farmers had put their all into the land and something should be done to protect them. By reason of lack of finance some farmers were not able to do all to clear their land, and those who do clear their holdings are faced with an increase of ragwort from seeding from the first-mentioned holdings. Some farms were comparatively clean, while others were not so. Then again they were in danger from abandoned farms. | In referring to ragwort on Maori i lands Mr. H. J.. W. Scott said they could mot compel Maoris to clear their holdings, the work falling on the adjacent owners. Ragwort was also growing on Government land and was a menace also. • In reply the Minister said the quesI tion of ragwort was one that existed I 'various parts. They had inspectors some districts hut local oversight ould be of great assistance to in>ectors. It has been possible to form pards along the lines of the Rabbit pisance Board. Unfortunately ragprt was increasing in some districts Id there would he a still greater [read if the farmers failed to help jemselves. [Regarding the putting on of extra Ispect'ors, Mr. Forbes said this was ted out in clearing the land of rabIts, and if farmers realised the mettle of ragwort it would he wisest for lem, instead of relying on inspectIs, to help themselves. To rely on ppectors solely was not the right ky to go about getting effective serke. This question was not one That Id troubled the’present Government

only but it had so bothered all Governments. “ The Government is a young one and has not many sins,” said Mr. Forbes amid laughter, which increased when a voice interjected, “ The sins will grow.”

Continuing, the Minister said he had heard it said that the country was being overrun by an army of inspectors, and these inspectors often got the farmers’ hacks up and instead of help from the farmers they got passive resistance.

The spread ol noxious weeds has an effect on the finance of a farm, though Mr. Forbes said he did not know if the Valuation Department took this into consideration. He would go into the matter with the officers of the department to see if anything more could he done to keep an effective cheek on ragwort. There was a large sum on the Estimates for keeping Government lands free from noxious weeds.

Mr. Vosper gave it as his opinion that the district was not so badly infested hut it was to prevent it from becoming so that they sought the Government’s assistance. They had tried to get a rabbit hoard { formed, hut certain difficulties were I experienced, and probably the saint ' difficulties would be experienced roI garding a ragwort hoard. | The "Director-General of Agriculture, Ur. G. J. Reakes, instanced Feildmg as one district where the j local Rabbit Board inspector was also noxious weeds Inspector.