NOXIOUS WEEDS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9552, 1 July 1911, Page 5

NOXIOUS WEEDS.

TO THE ACT. HON; T. MACKENZIE IN JJEFENOE ■ .'' (Peb Pbess AsshoiATinN.) : . -,%: ..: > June 30., .= '.■ Hon.'T. Mackenzie-visited Tikokiub on Wodneeday and met eoihe tweaity Wakara settlers; in; connection with the'Noxioiis Weeds Act. \': :

The "district in question is reported to be badly affected' with California)) thistle, and recently a number of; settlers, wore 'fined.. All present represented that they were quite unable to comply with/the requirements of- the Act. . •■_• ";.'-,• .;;

Replying, the Minister said a crisis had been reached in the .history of some: districts with noxious weeds. He pointed out to those who were advocating that the. Act be suspended the serious results likely to follow. Immediately a district was Gazetted asweed'infected the-■ products ■:■ coming from that locality would be greatly, handicapped.; Seed, chaff,: and even grain; would be looked at askance, and as a Seeds Purity Bill would be probably, placed on the Statuts Book at an early date, seeds, unless properly cleaned, would come, within the scope of that measure's' operations. The problem was a difficult one,: and it was receiving his most careful ;considera-tion-'with a view to endeavouring to evolve a "modus operandi" which would in a degree meet the situation. Of course, if a farmer whose property was. free from the Califoniian tliistlo looked with indifference upojl what was occupying the inspectors, and gave no indications of support tcthe very arduous and disagreeable duties which the inspectors had to carry ouu, the fact might have considerable influence in any.future line of action. The cost at tke present time was great, and the work exceedingly unpleasant.