NOXIOUS WEEDS PROBLEM

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13523, 22 August 1907, Page 4

NOXIOUS WEEDS PROBLEM

There appears to be a very general agreement on both sides of the House ' that the legislation upon noxious weeds is in an unsatisfactory state. Mr. McNab announced last night his intention to introduce this session a Bill dealing with the subject. If this is made strictly a nonpartisan measure, as it ought to be, a most useful Amending Act should result. In towns our citizens cannot possibly realise the tremendous importance of what to them is an insignificant matter, but it is not exaggerating to say that this problem is among those of most concern to agriculturists and of most effect upon the national production of wealth. Agriculture is a battle between the useful plants and animals whicii man desires to protect and propagate and the useless plants and animals which are more fitted by Nature for the same environment. 1 When a country is closely settled it is not such a difficult matter to keep noxious weeds in check, though even then vigilance must be unrelaxing and expense ungrudgingly borne. But in a new country, full of bush and rocky land, strewn with' Crown and native lands and with reserves of all kinds, the problem becomes stupendous. On the one hand the settler is threatened by the seeds which come from unweeded public areas to germinate in his fields; and on the other hand he is exposed to the danger of being himself expected ! to do what is. humanly impossible. j When the promised Bill is introduced iit will be difficult to hold ; a safe I course between what ought to be done and what can be done in this matter, but by the cordial co-opera-tion of all interested members a not impracticable measure ought to be passed. It is a matter in which a perfect Act is not to be expected.