TARANAKI LANDS MENACED.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 29 March 1926, Page 6

TARANAKI LANDS MENACED.

SPREAD OF RAGWORT

COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY. Approached at Eltham on Friday by deputations from the Taranaki branches of the Farmers’ Union, clele- / o-ates in attendance at a, meeting of the Taranaki Local Bodies’ Association were unanimously of the opinion that measures are required urgently to check the growth and spread of noxious weeds, with particular reference to ragwort, throughout the Taranaki district. A committee was set up to frame recommendations towards that end for the consideration of the association, after which, it is proposed, recommendations will be made to the Government. The committee appointed comprises Messrs C. J. Belcher (chairman of the association), A. S. Hicks (North Taranaki Farmers’ Union executive), D. M. Cameron (South Taranaki Farmers’ Union executive), E. Long (AVaimate West County Council), R. J. Knuckey (Eltham County Council), J. S. Connett (Taranaki County Council), and R. Stuart (Inglewood County Council). Mr. C. J. Belcher, chairman of the association, presided at the meeting, and the deputations comprised Messrs E. J. Betts (vice-president), D. Cameron, and W. E. Carter, representing the South Taranaki executive of the Farmers’ Union, and Messrs A. S. Hicks (president), S. Vickers, H. N. Chapman, and J. B. Sampson, representing the North Taranaki branch of the union. x

Messrs R. Wright (district inspector, Wellington), G. Ford (stock inspector, Hawera), A. Cook (Stratford), and F. W. Sutton (New Plymouth) represented the Department of Agriculture.

A communication received from the Hon. O. J. Hawken, M.P., Minister of Agriculture, expressed regret that he would be unable to attend, and intimated that he was arranging foi responsible officers of the Department to be present. Apologies for absence were also received from Messrs H. G. Dickie, M.P.. and J. B. Murdoch (chairman of the Hawera County Council)-

LOCAL BODY CONTROL. Mr A. S. Hicks, the first speaker, referred to the increase in the growth of noxious- weeds in recent years, and stated that on searching for the’source of the spread it had been found that in most instances the seed had been wind-blown. It bad also been found that the Government and native lands were the principal source of the spread of seed. To cope with the menace it was essential that some better method than that existing at present for compelling landowners to keep their proper ties clear of tlie weeds should be provided. In the opinion of the speaker, the most suitable medium for effecting this would be provided if full control was vested in the local authorities in the respective areas. Referring to the statement issued bv the Minister of Agriculture, in which he urged that steps should be taken in the direction of inducing, settlers to realise the position and act up to their individual responsibilities. Mr Hicks declared that it was the Department and not the public which required education on the matter. He considered that public opinion was a long way ahead of the department in the matter, and it was the department which needdel to be apprised of the gravity of the situation. “We demand _ protection against the spread of noxious weeds from badly infested to clean properties, and onlv the Government can give that protection,’’ said Mr Hicks in conclusion. Mr J. B. Simpson referred to the unfairness to a settler who, while honestly striving to keep Ins land clear, was put to unnecessary expense owing to the spread of seed from other properties where the ragwo.rt pest was allowed to thrive. He suggested that more inspectors should be engaged by the department until the trouble was put under control. In the speaker’s opinion, there was no other question of such importance as the noxious weeds menace to the welfare of the district,_ and he suggested that if the deputation’s views of the seriousness of the subject were endorsed by the meeting it should

appoint a responsible committee to instigate full inquiries with a. view to formulating measures which might offer a solution. 00-OiREIR AT'LQN DESIRED. Mr. E. J. Betts said the gravity of the (position was fully appreciated in South Taranaki and the members of the* union being, as farmers* of the district, fully conversant with local conditions, intended to eo-o*pena.te with the* officials of the Department in the endeavour to eradicate noxious weeds. Mr. W. E. Garter paid a tribute to the*--efforts of the i inspectors to keep the weeds under control. He was sure the inspectors had done their level best to do this, but, despite their work, ragwort continued to spread to an alarming extent, thus evidencing that the existing medium, of control was inadequate. Hlie gave ian instance of a farm which when clean* would be worth £SO an acre, but which during the last two seasons, had become .so. badly infected with ragwort that it would not at present realise £ls an acre. He hoped that the suggestion that a- committee should be appointed would be approved by the meeting and that, .as the result* of its* inquiries, somethin© effective would be urged upon* the authorities. Mr. 11. J. K mickey (Hltha.m County Council) said that too much stress could not be laid upon the urgent necessity for combating the ever-extend-ing growth, of ragwort in. the district, and while be knew that within the Limits of their powers the inspectors* were doing everything possible in the matter, the .speaker wished to again urge its importance upon those administering the Department-. Speaking ol the reports that sheep would keep ragwort down, Mr. Kimickey said uhiisi method was effective only when growth was young. When it compieneed to flourish it became highly dangerous to both sheep and cattle. The suggestion that local bodies (should he given control might if adopted, be ateended with good results, but quite apart- from this; county councils could be of assistance* by allowing their rangers t : > co-operate with the Department inspectors. SCIENTIFIC RESFJA R OH SUGGESTED. Mr. A. MoWillia-m (Elfchaiin County Council) spoke of a farmer who had lost 18 cows through- ragwort* poisoning and hud been compelled to walk off his property. He agreed with the remarks of the previous -speakers, but pointed out it was useless urging action on the authorities unless some method of extermination could be devised which would be within the means of the aver 1 - age farmer on badly infested land. In some *such areas settlers would be faced with a hopeless proposition if j they had to bear the heavy expenditure* incurred in effecting a clearance. If 1 drastic .steps were taken to force them to clear their holdings', they would be compelled to* leave the properties, for which it would probably he* impossible to find other occupiers, with consequent deterioration of the land and loss to the producing power of the district. Mr Me Willi am thought the case was one

calling for scientific research with a view to having land sterilised in order to check the growth of wind blown seed.

Air. J. W. Harding (Hawera County Council- suggested that if the fines collected were handed to the local authorities in. the respective areas, the amounts could be applied in the work of clearance and so alleviate the position to itii certain extent. , Air. Stuart favoured the formation of hoards- having power to finance settlers who were unable to meet the expense, the boards to take security on the land. Air W. G. Clement (Eltham Drainage Board) advanced the opinion that farmers holding clean country- would be well repaid, as would' all. in the particular area, if ia> district consented to be rated for the purpose of financing the clearance of the infested lands.

‘ ‘ABSURD’’ LIMITATIONS. “Anything more absurd I’ve neveir heard of,” saicl the chairman, when referring to the limitation of powers given Iby the Act, under which, he pointed "out, an ofience. did not lay in allowing weeds to grow, but iui permitting them to seed. Consequently, a mian could not be compelled to cut the weed until it actually seeded. He acknowledged that the officers of the Department were doing everything in tlieir power. In. bis county (Elltham) they had been active 1 and anxious to discharge their duties) as efficiently as possible, but, under the existing conditions, they were handicapped. Evidencing the spread of the ragwort, the chairman said that on his own property, which until five l years ago had been, quite free from the pest, the expense of cutting bust season had more than equalled the rates. “If it continues to increase to a comparative extent during the next five years there will be no land fit for dairying in the county,” continued the chairman. He urged t)he seriousness ol this by pointing out that the Elltham Dairy Company alone paid out about a quarter of a million sterling last season. During further remarks, Mr. Belcher expressed himself in favour of the formation a committee to investigate the matter with a view to placing proposals before the Government, and 'he thought that if the suggestions were within reason they would receive .sympathetic consideration by the Department.

DEPARTMENT’S ATTITUDE. Air R. Wright, representing the Department of Agriculture, said that the wholesale fear of ragwort which seemed to exist in Taranaki was not general throughout the Dominion, and by some local bodies in the south it had not even been declared a noxious weed. The speaker could, however, understand the view taken regarding the menace bv Taranaki farmers, as he knew of its effects- on stock and that it smothered good pastures to a large extent. Referring to the suggestion of local body control. Air Wright was of the opinion that the scheme should have good results, but he gave a reminder that when the question had been mooted previously about- 90 uer cent of the local bodies of the Dominion had refused to entertain the pronosal. Explaining the department’s attitude with offenders against the Act, he stated that while its provisions must be enforced the department did not wish to take action in such a rigorous manner as would drive settlers from their land. The insufficiency of fines had been made much of, but this, he pointed out, was not a matter controlled by the department, but bv the magistrate, who could impose fines of from 10s to £2O. A fine, however, did not clear the weeds, and the experience was that in many cases farmers did not help themselves, in the matter. Unless they were prepared', to do so it would be useless approaching the department with any projects to better conditions. He was sure, however. that if the suggested committee could place any suggestions before the department they would be acted upon if there appeared a reasonable chance of an improvement being effected by their adoption. Replying to questions, Mr Wright said he did not. think the inspectors could do much more than at present. Neither would any improvement be effected by increasing the number of inspectors. The department already had ample inspectors,” but they could not compel a settler to take action. If sheep were kept on the land all the year round they would keep ragwort under control, hut it would not he nnv good putting sheep op to the weed after it had beep allowed to flourish. Sheep roulrl only contend with it when the plant was young. Air E. Long (Waimate West County Council) pointecj, out that- fanners on dairying country could not afford to stock heavily with sheep, and thought that some more suitable method of getting the weed under control would have to he devised. During a recent trip through the northern district the sneaker had seen thousands of acres in the grin of ragwort, and if the people of the country could not secure some means of eradicating the weed from those areas and effectually preventing it from securing a hold elsewhere the orodnetion of the Dominion was going to he seriously effected. It was for the people most concerned to formulate oronosals to meet the position, and if such could he in anv wav expected to solve the question it was the duty of the Government to give the suggestion'; a trial. - After farther discussion the nnnointment of the committee ns already indicated was unanimously decided upon.