RAGWORT MENACE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXV, Issue 12297, 10 April 1937, Page 3

RAGWORT MENACE

PURCHASE OF CHLORATE SUBSIDY OF Id. PER LB. LETTER FROM MINISTER The Hon. W. Lee Martin, Minister of Agriculture, in acknowledging a letter from the Tauranga County Council, bringing under his notice points of discussion at a recent meeting of the Council, relative to the general question of ra’gwort eradica- | tion, stated he noted the proposed 'action to be taken by the Council. The Minister added: “With regard to the suggestion regarding disposal of sodium chlorate -to farmers at twenty-five per cent, of cost, I might mention that the question of supplying tnis commodity to farmers was given very careful consideration with the ragwort menace, and it was decided that the Departmeiit could not see its way to undertake the importation and distribution to farmers of sodium chlorate. The subsidy at the rate of Id per lb. was made available to importers of the materia! to enable farmers to purchase their requirements at reduced prices.”

The letter was read at yesterday’s meeting of the Council. Mr C. H. Burnett, M.P., in reply to a letter from the Council, said he realised that the matter was not only urgent, but- unless the problem was more seriously tackled the position would become increasingly serious to the farming community. The Government was depending on the full co-operation of local bodies and he felt confident that greater powers would be given, together with more adequate finance. The Council could depend on his full co-operation along the lines of its resolution. Cr Gane said he understood that the subsidy was not allowed on the sodium chlorate bought by settlers unless they paid cash. Cr Alach said he was riot satisfied with the Minister’s reply. He contended that the farmers should he supplied with cheaper sodium chlor.ate, and that would encourage those settlers who were attacking ragwort. Cr Spratt pointed out that the Government had expended £ 2000 in attacking ragwort during the season in Tauranga County. He urged that it would be better if the Government made a. grant of £ 2000 to the Council. The latter could then buy sodium chlorate and sell it to farmers at a cheap rate. Cr Gane thought that inspectors should be appointed to deal solely with the menace. Cr McKenna favoured the suggestion of Cr Spratt, and thought extra assistance should be given in special cases.

Cr Alach moved —That the Council renew its representations, as adopted at the previous meeting; that in the event of the Minister not agreeing to those proposals the Governmerit be asked to make a grant of £ 2100 to the Council so that it may purchase sodium chlorate and sell it at a reduced price to.settlers; that if the Government agrees to make such a grant the Council is prepared to engage an inspector.

Cr Gane seconded. Cr Alach said the matter was urgent.

The 'motion was carried unanimously.

The Inspector, Mr T. B. Turley, in his report referred to ragwort as follows: “On Manjji 13, gang operations ceased and from the commencement of the ragwort scheme on December 1, 1936, 113 tons of lime and sodium have been used, treating, approximately, 3,915 acres of badly infested lands. This effort has undoubtedly been tne means of preventing acres upon acres of good pastoral, lands from being seeded. The Government is to be commended for its action in providing the means which have enabled the Council to clear up such an area, which otherwise would have been a grave menaqe to the farming community. Prosecutions were instigated in sixteen cases and fines totalling £ 24 and costs were imposed. Further cases are to be heard at the next sitting of the Court, some of which were adjourned from last Court sitting.’’ Or Gane commented on the low average of the fines for non-clearance of ragwort. The Council at its meeting last month adopted a resolution urging the Government .to procure, by importation or otherwise, sufficient sodium chlorate, as early as possible and re-sell it to farmers at twentyfive per cent, of its cost. ■