RAGWORT ERADICATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21647, 13 November 1933, Page 15

RAGWORT ERADICATION

TAURANGA COUNTY STEPS CO-OPERATION OF FARMERS CROWN AND NATIVE LANDS [from our own con respondentJ TAURANGA. Saturday The Tauranga County Council at its meeting yesterday received advice from the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. C E. Macmillan, stating it was not contemplated that the council should bear the whole cost of ragwort eradication throughout the county, but that the fullest advantage would be taken of the Unemployment Board's offer of labour to farmers. The loan to be raised could be confined to the amount required for the purchase, of sodium chlorate in bulk for retailing at the lowest price possible. The position in regard to Crown and native lands was realised, said the Minister, and all possible would be done to keep.the weed in control on these areas. The extent to which securities arc affected by ragwort infestation was well known to Government lending departments. It was, however, a difficult matter to convince taxpayers in areas not affected that it was their duty to pay the cost of eradication in affected districts. The Kaimai Farmers' Association advised that a resolution had been passed suggesting that the council should confer with the Matamata County Council on the matter of ragwort control, as most of the seed was stated to come from the top of the Kaimai Hills on land that was controlled by the -Matamata Council. A deputation from the association waited on the council and supported the request, stressing the need for taking action in respect to ragwort infested native and absentee lands. The council agreed to forward a letter to the Matamata County Council asking it to take steps to clear the road and the properties mentioned by the deputation as being in the Matamata County. The following motion, was carried: "That a suggestion be submitted to the Minister of Agriculture that all Government and native lands that are unfarmed and growing ragwort be leased, free of all rental for 99 years in workaide areas, conditional upon the annual payments of all rates and the clearing and eradication of all noxious weeds, and that the same procedure be taken with similar absentee lands." The county clerk, Mr. H. Lewis, reported that practically all the sodium chlorate purchased had been sold or was on order to settlers, the total number of properties concerned being 216. The council decided to purchase a further supply of sodium chlorate for distribution to settlers at a reduced price. The county engineer, Mr. A. H. Benliain, reported that the work of eradicating ragwort was being pressed forward vigorously. Considerable areas have been treated and over 100 unemployed relief workers are engaged on this work. A comprehensive report dealing with numerous inspections made over the county was submitted by the inspector. Mr. W. H. Hoy, who stated that most of the farmers throughout the ragwort infested area were doing their best to eradicate the weed. GOVERNMENT CRITICISED WAITOMO COUNTY DISCUSSION [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT"! TK KUITI, Saturday The proposals made by the Government for the distribution of sodium chlorate by county councils were considered at a meeting of the Waitomo County Council yesterday, The chairman, Mr. W. A. Lee. said the Government, instead of assisting, had made it impossible for the farmer to obtain sodium chlorate at all, for the delay in making a definite statement. had resulted in it. not being made available. The whole matter was a discredit to the Government. No supplies of sodium chlorate would be available until Christmas. Mr. R. Neal said it had heen found possible to obtain a supply at Piopio after considerable difficulty at £65 a ton, and that had to come all the way from Southland. The Chairman: And when these proposals were mooted about six weeks ago the price was £'49 a ton. Mr. Neal said it was felt to be useless making unemployed men available for ragwort eradication if supplies of sodium ciMorate could not be obtained.