REGISTRATION OF GARDENS.

Northern Advocate, 14 October 1916, Page 2

REGISTRATION OF GARDENS.

Sir, —We have been threatened b\ advertisement and articles in tin newspapers lately that if we fail tc regis: r gardens that contain as K-.r.-'A as a single fruit tree, and ore.: ards, that we shall be liable to a heavy penalty. In a country like this where many fruit trees thrive so exceedingly it seems going rather Ear to make the proprietors of even single fruit trees liable to a heavy fine if they do not register them. In fact it goe* too far, or not far enough. Why stop short at fruit trees? Other plants, including weeds, are all liable to carry disease. Better pass a law to spray the whole country. Bona fide orchardists will not object, [ imagine, to pay the tax of 1 ; = pel acre, or to register, but why make the law ridiculous by drawing in the proprietors of small private gardens? The arguments in favour, I admit, are plausible, but nevertheless arc filly. The advertisement with itsomewhat savage threats, informed us that the tax was payable at anj money order post office, I sent the amount of my tax to the money order office here, but it was refused, and 1 wrk told to go elsewhere. I have therefore written to the Great Pan. jandrum, I mean the Director of the Horticultural Division, Department of Agriculture, Industries and Commerce, Wellington, and asked for further information as to proper procedure. —I am, etc., t v. v.wttmci