SOIL EROSION

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13137, 11 September 1940, Page 2

SOIL EROSION

SELF-CONTAINED DEPARTMENT ESSENTIAL

The suggestion that a self-contain-ed national department with wide powers is essential for dealing with the major problems of soil erosion has been made by the secretary of the Marlborough Progress League (Mr F. Mogridge) in a letter to the Canterbury Progress League. The letter states that the Marlborough League sought information on soil erosion problems and would be glad to co-operate “in all possible ways in creating public interest and concern in this very serious problem which is confronting the whole Dominion.” The letter said that the league was strongly of the opinion that fencing, grassing and spelling was essential with much back country, but that farmers on fine wool properties were so up against financial difficulties that they could work only on a short-range policy for the best immediate return —they were mining the country instead of the farming on a wider-range policy. The letter suggested that financial allowance should be made, by subsidy or remission of certain charges such as land tax . and county and rabbit board rating. , In the Marlborough, district experi- i ments carried out with crested wheat grass had so far indicated that it was a highly palatable grass, not affected by frost, which would flourish on high country, “The problem,” the letter said, “can be assisted by small organisations and by individuals, but the major trouble is a matter for Government action and the setting up of a self-contained national department with wide powers seems essential.”