RAGWORT ERADICATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22960, 11 February 1938, Page 14

RAGWORT ERADICATION

Sir,—ln the Herald of February 9 I see "Weed Killer" is suggesting that the Government employ roving ragwort inspectors. That is certainly a good suggestion, but will not really cure the ragwort trouble. There is onl* one way left now. Tho Noxious Weedj? Act, of 1928, shpuld bo thoroughly amended and the fines should be very heavy, no fine to be less than, jaay £lO. How quickly the country would be cleaned up. At present, I understand, an inspector has to wait until he finds a farmer with the plant hav- ' ing "seeded," then he proceeds to prosecute. If lucky he wins the case and the offending farmer gets off with a fine of 30s or £2. It is much easier to pay that than be grubbing after ragwort all through the pummer. Farmers' sons and daughters are not interested in the weed either. They just • : stroll past odd plants at their home* stead gates and do not stop to pluck ; the blooms before they cast thousands of young plants. Why do not the • i schoolmasters give odd lectures on the dangers of the weed? Until everyone works, the Government will go on' ' spending thousands of pounds on the ragwort. New Zkalaxdek. , ;