RAGWORT SPREADS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 346, 29 January 1937, Page 4

RAGWORT SPREADS.

NO SODIUM CHLORIDE. Farmers Helpless In Efforts To Combat the Pest. An unfortunate combination of circumstances has added to the Taranaki farmer’s troubles. On the ! authority of a Stratford resident who has wide knowledge of the district, his statement that ragwort has never been so much in evidence than is the case this season is sufficiently alarming. But considered in conjunction with the report that landowners are unable to combat the pest owing to the scarcity of supplies of sodium chloride, the position is serious. *1 pould not buy a pound tot sodium chloride in the town this morning,” he said in 'support of his remarks. Inquiries to-day at the premises of local firms who supply farmers’ lines confirmed the latter statement, the reason for which was attributed mainly to the effect of the shipping trouble.

“There is any amount of sodium chloride at Auckland on consignment to our firm,” stated a local manager when approached on the matter,

“but shipping down this coast has not been able to pick it up. I know from the number of orders placed with us that farmers are seriously affected by the lack of supplies. We are anxious to meet the requirements of the farming community and local bodies in the matter, and are doing everything possible to secure the forwarding of our consignments, but we are powerless in face of other interests over which we have no control.”