THISTLE SPREAD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22318, 1 May 1947, Page 6

THISTLE SPREAD

GISBORNE PLIGHT REQUEST FOR ADVICE MINISTER SYMPATHETIC " I own a little land with a large amount of thistle on it and I think I have more thistle than land; it means no stock and no income.’ said the Minister of Agriculture. Mr E. L. Cullen, on Tuesday after giving a sympathetic hearing to a deputation from the Gis-borne-East Coast provincial district of the Federated Farmers on the question of the spread of variegated thistle in this district. Mr Cullen said that experiments were being carried out in an endeavour to control that noxious weed. It had been the experience of farmers in Hawke’s Bay that wet weather was a deterrent to the spread of the thistle. During the past two dry seasons there had been a .recurrence of the thistle in Hawke's Bay. Mr Cullen agreed that the problem was a national one. but it was hoped in the near future" that more labour would be available. Blackberry also had spread during the war years be cause "of the scarcity of labour. The seriousness of variegated thistle in the Gisborne district was stressed by the leader of the farmers' delegation. Mr C. H Wiiliams. who said that if some farmers were. to attempt to conform with the Noxious Weeds Act thev would be “put out of business” and large areas would be thrown out of production. Past Contribution Mr Williams told the Minister of the voluntary contributions of district farmers some years ago and the efforts made to dnd a natuial enemy ol vanegated thistle A tund of £SOO had been established to assist in that work, which had had to be terminated on ac count of the war. Investigations at the lime were being carried out in Europe Of that £SOO there was a balance ot £350 left in a trust account and farmers of the district were anxious to start the investigations afresh. Recently the federation had written to Dr D. Miller, of the Cawthron Institute, asking tiis advice on the continuation of the search for the natural enemy. The reply was to the effect that the time was not opportune until Europe had settled down Mr Cullen was asked to take up the matter, and the £3SC in toe trust account was offered to his department as a contribu tion towards the investigation as soon as the time was opportune. Mr Williams said it was thought wise tc attempt 'to find a natural enemy before farmers faced the heavy costs related to the cutting of the thistle. Spread of Blackberry He drew the Minister’s attention to the spread of blackberry in the dis trict, referring particularly to the area m the Wharerata Hill district and the infestation at Nuhaka. Dealing with rabbits, Mr Williams asked Mr Cullen's support in the supply of the necessary pollard used by rabbiters for the purpose of poison ing rabbits. "They are ready and eager to gel busy but are held up for the lack ui pollard,” he said. Giving one instance of the nuisance and damage being caused by opposums in. the district. Mr Williams said he knew of an area planted with willows that had been so damaged that 90 per cent ol the tiees had died The answer appeared to be a bonus on tails to encourage boys and station hands to go out of’an evening and be able to earn £1 or more. Supporting Mr Williams' contentions regarding the serious proportions ol variegated thistle in the district Mr A. H: Russell' said his property had been covered with thistle before he took it over. The cutting of the thistle would b out the question at present, even it the labour were available.