Farmers Accept News Time

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32302, 21 May 1970, Page 10

Farmers Accept News Time

A motion that a request be made for the 7 p.m. television news to be put back to 7.30 p.m. was lost on voices when put to the North Canterbury Federated Farmers provincial executive yesterday.

Mr V. S. Shadbolt, who put the remit on behalf of the Banks Peninsula branch, said that he was doing so on instructions, but that his personal opinion was that 7 p.m. was a more suitable time for those who had to attend an evening meeting. Mr A. L. Mulholland said he agreed with Mr Shadbolt. Whatever time it was put on it was going to upset somebody and 7 p.m. was a# good a time as any. The chairman (Mr W. N. Dunlop) said there were seasons when 7.30 p.m. was more suitable to farmers. Many felt that the weather report was too early. The 9 p.m. news flash should have a weather report accompanying it, and this would be still further improved if it had a weather map. “If there is a weather map many people become their own forecasters,” said Mr Dunlop.

"They’re a dashed sight better sometimes,” said Mr A. F. Wright.

Noxious Weeds

A claim that members' of the Tai Tapu district branch felt they were being victimised by the local authority in the area over the administration of the Noxious Weeds Act was made by Mr D. H. Watson. He said that on November 19 members received a letter pointing out the urgent need for the control and eradication of noxious weeds in the area and that a notice to clear would be received from the noxious weeds inspector.

The notice was received three weeks later and farmers were given 3 j months to do the job, which involved anything from 20 to 100 acres of ground. Mr Watson said there had been a lack of co-operation from the inspector, who had not been on the properties. He had only taken photographs from the roadside or from the air. Chemical spraying in the area was not effective nor practical at this time of the year as the area was also a market garden area, said Mr Watson. Members felt that they were making an effort. They were in fact clearing infected areas effectively and economically by discing, fencing, sowing and stocking, but that

longer than three months and a half was necessary.

Mr Shadbolt said there had been a noxious weeds problem on Banks Peninsula for many years and there had been good co-operation with the inspector, who had something like 2000 properties to attend to and could not personally inspect each one.

“If you want to know anything about noxious weeds come and have a talk with our inspector or our committee. We’ve had 20 years experience. There is nothing like co-operation,” said Mr Shadbolt.

Mr Watson said that the inspector had been invited to visit the farms but had refused on the grounds that he had too much to do, and the local authority had discussed the matter without inviting farmers to be present. The executive agreed to accept an invitation from the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society to have direct representation on the society’s council and to leave it to the incoming executive to appoint a delegate. The proposed closing of the Norwood and Bankside railway station was advised by the Railway Department, and it was agreed that the branches in the districts concerned should discuss the matter and report to the next executive meeting.