CLEARING CALIFORNIAN THISTLES.

Wairarapa Age, 12 February 1927, Page 5

CLEARING CALIFORNIAN THISTLES.

FARMERS FINED. MENACE TO NEXT GENERATION ASHBURTON, February H. At the Magistrate’s Court four farmers were prosecuted for failing to clear land of Californian thistles. Counsel said that curative measures would leave defendants bankrupt. The inspector stated that some people held the Act up to ridicule and it seemed that it paid farmers better to be fined than to do the necessary work. The growing of Algerian oats was n cure for thistles, the inspector said. Patches of thistle could be cut nut but the whole wheat crop was affected. “This county is supposed to be tho granary of New Zealand,” he added, “and it is not a matter of the effect on the present generation but on the next generation.” Of course the crop would be ruined. Counsel: “Well, Sir, you see the position the farmer is in.” The Magistrate: “So you want the Act wiped out.” Counsel: “Oh, no, Sir. hardly that;”

The Magistrate: “I am here to fix .t penalty, a fair penalty for non-com pliance with the Act, whicli says that thistles must be cut before they run to seed. Fining is not going Io be the remedy in these cases, but the law provides that tho weeds must be cut. I dvn’t make the law. I simply administer it. If hardships are inflicted by the Act they should be put before the proper authorities.” Two* of the defendants were lined £lO each, the third £5 and the fourth £2.—• (P.A.)