Controversy Over Kikuyu Grass Renewed

Northern Advocate, 11 June 1942, Page 5

Controversy Over Kikuyu Grass Renewed

The controversy regarding. whether kikuyu grass is a menace or a boon was revived at a meeting cf the Whangarei Chamber of Commerce last evening when the committee reported that following a report from Mr. E. B. Glanville, of the Agricultural Department, the chamber had written to the Associated Chambers of Commerce asking it to take up with the department the question of the disastrous' spread cf this grass in some districts.

Mr. K. E. Hewlett stated that in some areas kikuyu grass was considered a. menace while in others it was looked upon as of value for covering slips, with a consequent difference of opinion.

Similar arguments had occurred some years ago over paspalum, said Mr. W. A. Christiansen, who said he had understood Government departments had undertaken not to use kikuyu grass. Value in Holding Country

Kikuyu had considerable value for holding hard country together, said Mr. C. Cross, who gave an instance on one farm where a good growth of clover was coming through the kikuyu grass. “I do not agree that kikuyu is a menace,” said Mr. C. V. Stringer. After

30 years' experience in the north he was sure that where it could be controlled it was a good grass. Where areas were difficult to control, however, it ran wild. At Puvvera. where it had been planted experimentally, the grass was generally under control and it was relished by stock.

Mr. Stringer claimed that by usin;

kikuyu grass the biggest portion of the gum land of the north could be made to provide an abundance of feed. The grass had also been sent to Fiji, where it was reported to be growing well and to be providing rough hay. On the other hand, it would not pay for paddocks which it was later intended to cultivate for agriculture to be planted with kikuyu. Paspalum had once been derided as the “curse of the north.” but. he considered it would have been a sorry day for the north if paspalum had not been introduced. Kikuyu grass, in his opinion, was not as had as it had been painted.