FIREBLIGHT RISK

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 9 June 1927, Page 6

FIREBLIGHT RISK

DESTRUCTION OK HAWTHORN

More was hoard at the Manawatu A. and' P. I Association meeting this week of its protest against the Order mCouncil compelling' the destruction of 1 all hawthorn within 1 a radius of /five miles of the Palmet«l.ori v North ' Po:it Office- in order to check Übfl spread of flrebligh', savs the 'Post's" correspondent. Mr M. A. Conway urged that Messrs J. A. Nash and J. Linklater, M's.l'., should make a strong protest 1.0 thn Government and point nut plainly that Iho oradical ion of hawthorn at the present time would he ruination to some farmers'when no money was coming in. If it was a, question of saving an industry, surely the Government should help'. Some of the hawthorn was miles from an orchard. Mr W. G. Shannon seconded the motion.

Mr Linklater stated that it was hard to compensate farmers for loss of shelter on the farm, yet at the same tithe it would be a great hardship for some farmers to eradicate all hawthorn. In this 'district fruit-growing was not a big industry, and it seemed wrong to inflict flirt tier-hardships npon the fanners. He would do his best to soo the matter put rigid. Mr J. A Nash suggested that stronger measures might be taken. Farmers were having a hard enough time as it was with the Control Act. Mr W. Milverton said the committee should not lose sight of the danger that threatened the orclmrdists and might take, away their Hying. He thought the Government should find a- remedy for the blight. Mr Linklater: "They are trying to." • Mr Nash: "Wait until we get the Agricultural College." Mr Milverton: "You will never get it." (Uproar.) It was finally decided that the president, Messrs Nash' and Linklater, arrange the suggested 'deputation.