Criticism By Minister Of Bulldozing Nassella

Press, Volume C, Issue 29523, 26 May 1961, Page 18

Criticism By Minister Of Bulldozing Nassella

Criticism of the method of buMdeing steep slopes for nasellc control work was expressed by the Minister of Agriculture <Mr Hayman) in a letter to the North Canterbury Nasella Tussock Board which reviewed the board’s submissions to the Inter-De-partmental Committee on Nassella Tussock. “The committee has informed me thai. in addition t» the standard methods of eradicating nassella. your board has adopted the practice of bulldozing steep slopes on hill country,'' the Minister's letter said.

“The committee reports that it is most perturbed at this pracice because, while appearing to eradicate the weed, it promotes erosion and there is evidence to show the nassella tussock wili re-seed and grow worse in the. future. “I agree with the committee’s concern at this policy which seems to me to be very unwise, and I suggest the board should discontinue it," the letter said.

Member Employed A board member being employed by the board on contract risked disqualification if the value of the contract exceeded the statutory limit, the letter said. “The board should call tenders for contract work and should avoid contracting with its own members wherever possible,” the Minister said.

“The nassella tussock legislation does not permit your board to establish a special fund to assist farmers with limited financial resources to carry out their share of control work.

“A possible way by which such farmers can obtain relief is through the Marginal Lands Board. . . . However it would be necessary for applications to be made by individual farmers to the Marginal Lands Board before any assistance of this kind could be considered." The board’s discretion in remitting charges made upon landowners in some instances should be exercised only on a very conservative basis. The Minister said that, from experience, the importation of workers from Canada did not appear to be a suitable way of overcoming the serious problem of obtaining labour for the grubbing gangs. “I agree with the board, and the committee, that there' is a pressing need for a closer settlement of certain areas to bring nassella tussock under control,” the letter said. “I should like to commend the board on the proposed five-year programme from April 1. 1961, which has been drawn up. If the board is able to follow this programme. a major advance in the eradication of nassella

I tussock seems assured." the Minister's letter said. Bulldozing Defended “How much erosion was caused in the north-east . corner of the Kowai County by the recent heavy rains?” said Mr J. Stevenson, com-, ; memting on the Minister's j view of bulldozing. “I made a point of going I over most of the land we bulldozed." said Mr R. S. . Shearer. “The rain was as heavy as we've had for many. years. Up to BJin fell on the area. “There were no slips worth ' mentioning that could not bei

fixed in a few minutes. Other land has slipped in this last fortnight that hasn't moved for years. “I think the Minister has been given the wrong view of bulldozing. The object of the bulldozing was to enable the land to be worked and brought into production.” Mr Shearer said