RAGWORT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 365, 28 October 1932, Page 7

RAGWORT

DANGER REALISED FARMERS UNION PREPARING BIG DEPUTATION TO WELLINGTON. MATAMATA COUNTY MOVES. The growing menace to the farming industry by the spread of ragwort is something which will have to be driven home to the recognitioh of the Government if really disastrous consequences are to he avoided. Thousands of acres of good land in this part of the Dominion alone are hecoming infested to such a degree that they will hecome utterly useless unless some drastic action is taken — and taken without delay. Strange as it may seem, the Government does not appear to realise what is happening in districts which are loolced upon to produce the future wealth of the Dominion. Beyond exp'erimenting with sodium chlorate and liherating moths (which may take years to propagate) the Government cannot claim to have made any sysbematic attack upon an enemy which bids fair to impoverish a very large percentage of the farmers in. view Lealand. Farmers Waking Up. It is satisfactory to see that farmers in some quarters are waking up to the danger and taking steps to stir a sluggish administration into activity. Our nextdoor neighbours, the Matamata county farmers, have determined to send a deputation to Wellington to emphasise the mecessity for action. Last week Messrs. A. R. Vosper and H. Baldwin, representing the Putaruru branch of the an.Z. Farmers' Union, waited on the East Waikato Rahhit Board, seeking co-operation. According to the "xtecord," Mr. Vosper said' that the deputation supported Mr. E. D. White's resolution as passed at the Matamata County Council meeting. Following the resolution, the Putaruru branch suggested getting in touch with all branches of the Farmers' Union in the South Auckland district and sending a deputation to Wellington. The deputation asked the board's support of Mr. White's resolution. Whatever was done would have to be done quickly, so as to check the growth of ragwort this season. The chairman, Mr. J. S. Allen, said there was no douht but that ragwort was increasing fast. Cost of Sodium Chlorate. Mr. H. Baldwin endorsed Mr. Vosper's remarlts, and stated that sodium chlorate was costing more than it should. The Government should exercise more control over it. It was understood that it could be landed at a cost of 2d per pound. He thought some of the Government stock inspectors did not do their duty. Where cases came before the courts the inspectors did not always get fair treatment. Officials Powerless. The secretary, Mr. A. L. Mason, said he had discussed the matter of ragwort destruction with Messrs. Lyons (Director-General of the Live Stock Division), Munro, Morris (inspectors of the Department of Agriculture) and Mr. E. D. White (president of the Putaruru branch of the Farmers' Union and mover of the resolution at the County Council's meeting. The department realised the seriousness of the matter, hut as the Noxious W'eeds Act stood at present the inspectors were powerless. The Act was ineffective. They could only prosecute the nominal owners of properties, and if men were put on to clean up properties the department could only charge it up to the occupier, who often had no money, and to' the owners or mortgagees. Parliament would not amend the Noxious Weeds Act on the recommendations of the departmental officers. The department stated they could not supply sodium chlorate cheaper than it was being sold. luembers of the board pointed[ out that the department adopted the same attitude as regards carbon bisulphide,' but the Rabbit Board were ahle to supply it at practically half of what the Department of Agriculture charged for it.

Act Should he Amended. Continuing, Mr. Mason said the question of extending the No. 11 unemployment scheme to apply to the destruction of ragwort was under consideration. It was agreed that Rahbit Boards had been succesSful'in controlling rabbits for two chief reasons; firstly, the absence of political influence, and, secondly, they dealt with concentrated districts with one man, the - insp'ector, dealing with the job. The Director of the Live Stock Division, the Director-General of the Department of Agriculture and officers were strongly in favour of an amendment of the Noxious Weeds Act to provide the power to prosecute and charge the cost of clearing to the land, even to the first mortgagee; also for setting up boards hy petition with the proviso that where other suitable local bodies existed they he invested with the necessary powers. Mr. Munro had stressed the fact that it was hopeless to expect a move to be taken through' the efforts of the departmental officers as they had been trying for years to get the Act amend'ed. As strong a deputation as possible should be sent to Wellington. It should also be made clear that the deputation represented the public opinion of the district.

A Sympathetic Hearing. Mr. W. J. Baldwin asked the deputation if they suggested the Rabbit Board taking over the control of ragwort and striking a rate if necessary. Mr. Vosper said they would entertain that matter later, hut what was wanted was immediate action. Mr. Shine took it that the deputation were seeking the board's support in trying to get sodium chlorate at a price that would enable it to be used in sufficient quantities to destroy the ragwort. Mr. Vosper said that was so. Mr. Shine said it was impossible for him to believe the Government was serious in saying it was not able to supply the chemical at a lower price. Wanted by Shipload. The chairman said it was impos-

sible for th'e Rabbit Board to handle the position unless the Act was amended. He sympathised with the farmers, hut they werei powerless to help at present, Mr. R. Carruth was satisfi'ed the board realised the seriousness of the position. It was a national question. In some cases ragwort had obtained such a hold that it would? cost more than the land was worth' to clean it up. The Act needed amending. They would have to get the sodium chlorate cheaper than at present. He would like to see qutotations obtained from all parts of the world. It was wanted by the shipload; not hy the ton. Finally it was decided that the secretary, Mr. A. L. Mason, should represent the board on the deputation.