NOXIOUS WEEDS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 19 October 1926, Page 2

NOXIOUS WEEDS.

THE PARIHAKA BLOCK. NEED EOR ACTION URGED ON MINISTER. The spread of noxious weeds on the Parihaka block and the menace caused thereby to the surrounding country was stressed by a deputation from the North Taranaki Executive of the Farmers ’ Union which waited on the Minister of Lands, the Hon. A. D. McLeod, at New Plymouth on Monday (states the Taranaki Herald). The deputation was introduced by Mr C. E. Bellringer, M.P., on behalf of the Hon. O. J. Hawken, and consisted of Messrs. S. Vickers, A. S. Hicks, Donald, Lilley, and D. Le C, Morgan (secretary). Mr Donald pointed out that along the Coast was some of the best dairying land in Taranaki, but the settlers were greatly alarmed by the spread of noxious weeds, particularly ragwort, as the result of the seed being blown from the Parihaka block, which was thickly infected with the pest. In reply to the Minister, Mr Donald said that the Maori land in the vicinity was also affected, but so far as the freehold land was concerned the settlers were doing their best to cope with it and keep their lands clear. At the same time it was very disheartening to them to be striving to keep their own lands clear when the Crown land and Maori land adjoining was so badly infected and nothing being done to cope with it. It was becoming increasingly difficult to hold the ragwort in cheek oh the freehold lands and settlers and their sons were losing heart. He therefore hoped the Minister would make a definite promise that something would be done whereby the ragwort would not be allowed to seed. It would be a great incentive to everybody if the ragwort on the Crown lands was cut. MR HAWKEN’S WEEDS BILL. The Minister said no one could have brought greater pressure to bear to have something done than had the Hon Mr Hawken, member foy the electorate in which the land was situated. He was now Minister of Agriculture and, recognising the difficulties of administrating the law as it stood, to-day, brought before Parliament provisional legislation for effectively dealing with noxious weeds. The provisions were pretty severe and Mr „ Hawken urged that it be put through the House but he had just about as much chance of getting it through the House as through the moon. Mr Hawken ’s idea was sound—that where districts were comparatively free of weeds they should be kept clean, otherwise severe penalties would be imposed. The difficulty, however, was to convince members of Parliament that these provisions would only apply to clean districts. The Bill would be brought down again next year, probably with some modifications, but Mr Hawken was determined if possible to see that clear districts were kept clear. He recognised the difficulty and how easily a district like Taranaki could be ruined with weeds, and was anxious to do all he could to safeguard the position. A great deal had been said about the Parihaka block and the department recognised the position, but there was the large area of Native land, too, and they could not deal with this as with European land. However, they were going to deal with the Parihaka block, they were not going to allow it to remain idle. Proposals had been submitted and he had no doubt that in the near future all the available land in the block would be offered on terms which he hoped would result in j.t being taken up. Probably the terms would provide for the first four or five years of occupation being without payment.