UNEMPLOYMENT

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LX, Issue 11202, 26 August 1933, Page 3

UNEMPLOYMENT

Meeting of Tauranga Committee CLEARING OF RAGWORT. A meeting of the Tauranga Unemployment Committee was held in the Borough Council Chambers on Thursday last. Present: Messrs B. C. Robbins (Chairman), J. B. Ward (certifying officer), A. F. Tanks, L. H. Wilkinson, H. Lewis, A. H, Benham J. Law, J. Milne, J. Darragh, Rev. D. H. Stewart and Mr J. M. Smith (Secretary).

A letter from the Hon. C. E. Macmillan, Minister of Agriculture, as forwarded to the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce, in reference to the clearing of ragwort, was read,— (This letter was published on Tuesday last). Mr Robbins thought the work was of a national character. Systematic organization was necessary. With summer approaching camps might be established.

Rev. Stewart thought native and Crown lands should be considered in any eradication compaign that was undertaken.

Mr Wilkinson suggested that the co-operation of the Farmers’ Union might be sought. Mr Benham explained the steps that had been taken by the County Council, and thought the Government should assist in the purchase of sodium chlorate. Native and Crown lands should receive attention. He thought the system of organizing gangs on the lines adopted by the County Council last year was preferable to camps. Mr Lewis thought if farmers could procure sodium chlorate at a reasonable price the matter of labour could be arranged. It was decided to ask the Unemployment ; Board to establish camps for the purpose of clearing ragwort from Crown and native lands. Mr Milne reported on the work done under the boot - repairing scheme.' It was decided to ask for a donation from the Mayor’s Fund towards the purchase of leather.