THE RAGWORT MENACE.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 306, 19 September 1929, Page 6

THE RAGWORT MENACE.

UNITED ACTION REQUIRED Formation of Boards Suggested The ragwort menace was the subject of a letter from the Putaruru branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union to the Maiamata County Council on Friday, the branch suggesting that concerted action should be taken to stop the spread of what it termed a most dangerous weed. The branch further suggested that the council should appoint a noxious weed inspector to cover the whole county, pointing out that none except local bodies had power to take any action. A subsidy should be forthcoming from the Agricultural Department was the final suggestion.

Cr. Cox said it was certain an endeavour should be made to control the weed. Cr. Allen: It has got too big a hold for one county to try and control it. The trouble is the amount of native and Crown lands, where the weed is absolutely uncontrolled. Cr. Moir said he had recently had a conversation with the Minister for Agriculture, and from this he deduced that strong Government action would be taken. Cr. Morris said each property owner should be compelled to keep his property clean. This would keep the weed in check. Cr. Moir instanced the Wilson blopk, between Matamata and Cambridge, on which no attempt had been made to control the weed for many years. It was decided to write to the Minister for Agriculture, suggesting an Act for the constituting of Noxious Weeds Boards on the lines of Rabbit Boards.