WAR ON NOXIOUS WEEDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19698, 26 July 1927, Page 12

WAR ON NOXIOUS WEEDS.

Sir, —The receutly-introduccd Npxious Weeds Amendment Bill proposes to inflict further pains and penalties for any breach, and continuous monthly proceedings, with fines up to £SO, for continuing the offence I suppose the proceedings will be taken and enforced on the owners of farms adjoining blocks of land owned by natives as "customary lands," which said lands will be immune. They are the true breeding places for weeds by the million, but no proceedings must be instituted against those owners, but only against the poor farmer who is struggling to get a living out of the adjacent land! In the Act of 1923 it appears there is a very sensible provision that the farmer has the option to clear these weeds "at the proper season of the year." This is to be repealed by this precious amendment bill, and he may then be called upon to clear his farm of weeds in the middle of winter—or when his farm is water-logged, or at any other improper season, and, failing to do the impossible, he must pay the penalty! Still we wonder that the man—who is barely making a living by working every hour of daylight—in face of these added burdens walks off his farm, after years of weary work, broken-hearted by the »mbecile legislation imposed on him. J. Thornes. 231, Parneli Road.