FARMERS’ INTERESTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 79, 2 March 1929, Page 10

FARMERS’ INTERESTS.

MEETING OF THE UNION. Tho monthly meeting of the Manawatu branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union was held this morning, Mr O. P. Lynch presiding. Also present were Messrs P. Gktfn, J. Ralsillie. H. Denton, F. Maul, H. Bond and J. H. McLeavey. NOXIOUS WEEDS. Concerning the spread of noxious weeds, Mr Maul said that everybody was aware that they were getting a strong hold in the district. County Councils drew metal from river beds and it was infested with gorse and. other seeds? When the metal was dumped on the roadsides, the seeds grew and the plants flowered. Later, seeds from these plants would be broadcast over th© countryside. Noxious weeds were particularly noticeable between Palmerston North and Foxton and shortly they would be in the neighbouring properties. Once the weeds got into the high class lands they would bo extremely difficult to handle. The danger could be minimised by asking county councils if it was not possible to have the weeds in their various districts cut down, thus avoiding further distribution. The chairman was of the opinion that this would be a good idea. Mr Gloyn said tfiat noxious weeds had been the subject of a discussion at a rabbit board meeting held recently at Foxton. The board could deal with the trouble in its own area by appointing its inspectors as noxious weed inspectors. Government inspectors could not deal with the trouble as they bad big areas to cover and their other work was too much. Mr Gloyn thought that county councils could put men on to deal with the weeds. Ragwort and blackberry were becoming great pests and in time would spread to the good land. Some farmers endeavoured to clear their properties, but others didn’t bother. In places, hundreds of sheep had died through ragwort. The chairman said that only yesterday between Levin and Shannon ragwort was noticed to be flowering. Mr Maul: In parts of Fitzherbert, alongside of the‘Wellington Road, ragwort is plentiful. / Mr Lynch: I wonder if it is possible that these weeds have an effect on the sterility of cows? Mr Denton: Pennyroyal certainly has and that is going to be more trouble than enough. It was decided to request Oroua, Manawatu, Horowhenua, Kairanga and Hutt counties to employ men on cutting down the weeds where necessary and to assist as much as possible towards their eradication. CHEESE INDUSTRY.

Referring to the cheese industry, Mr Bond said that, under the modified cheese regulations brought in in January, there were considerable requirements for testing curds and fats that were not obtainable in New Zealand. Had six months’ grace been given the factories it would have been fair, but the sudden imposition of the regulations in the middle of the season, without warning and without the views of the factories being obtained, was entirely unfair. Also, the farmers should have had a say in the / matter. Separated milk was as good as whole milk for a starter, but under the regulations the use of a separator in the factory w r as prohibited. The resultant loss on butterfat that was otherwise used in other directions would mean £BO,OOO per yeai to the Dominion. There were too many Orders-in-Council and there was no urgency for the introduction of the measure. On Mr Bond’s suggestion, the meeting decided to enter a strong protest on the ground that the regulations were imposed in the middle of the season by Order in Council. The opinion that farmers were not getting any more information about vaginitis from the Department of Agriculutre than they did fifteen years ago was expressed by Mr Bond. He urged that the department should show more activity in the matter and should let the farmers of the country know exactly what stand it was taking.