DEALING WITH RAGWORT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4956, 16 February 1937, Page 5

DEALING WITH RAGWORT.

(To the Editor). Sir, —Now that our Socialistic Government has take steps for the zoning of our dairy factories, would it not be as well if they infused a bit more commonsense into dealing with the ragwort pest, that seems so vital in connection with this primary industry? For some few months past gangs of men have been having joy rides in and around Te Kuiti as far as Kopaki and outlying places, destroying the pest on Crown lands only. The situation is verging on the ridiculous. Go where you will in this locality and you will find this pest flourishing, in spite of all the expenditure. Crown lands that have been treated for the eradication of ragwort are now threatened by surrounding forests of that “beautiful” flower. Surely a Government that can socialise the banking system of New Zealand can devise some method whereby this uneconomic waste of money could be prevented. As this weed in question is so detrimental and dangerous to the dairying industry, would it not be as well if our legislators introduced a bit of Socialism into its eradication? Let all ragwort destruction be done by the Government and not left to our local bodies. Yes, I would suggest that the farmers approach our member on the point—he has done good work in the past and I don't think he would fail them in the present—l am, etc., J. DIXON,