REMOVING HAWTHORN HEDGES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6669, 24 July 1928, Page 4

REMOVING HAWTHORN HEDGES

ME. LINKLATEE’S APPEAL. Speaking on the Orchard and Gardens Pest Act in the House of Representatives last Friday night, J. Linklater, member for’ Manawatu said: “While I have to congratulate tho Minister on the consolidation bill now before ns, Lwanf to ask him to administer -this’Act. with due consideration for the dairy farmers who have hedges ound their farms. The Depatmont of Agriculture has declared a section of five miles square in the Manawatu district an area within which hawthorn is to mo eradicated. In that district, wo. have farmers who depon’d on these hedges for, their fencing, and if they remove them they then lose"’the only shelter the stock have in the winter. I hope, therefore, that the Minister will see his wto have the Act leniently administered. While I recognise tho importance of the orchards so far as production of fruit, is concerned, I tlso think we should take into consideration that groat dairying industry ot which we depend so much for our production and revenue. I have in mind one farm in my district that has no less than eight miles of hedge. If the (owner is compelled to- chop down the whole of his'hedge—he is only a small farmer—l am sure it will place him In a very awkward position because I know he cannot afford tho expense of erecting a fence in its stead.