CONTROL OF RAGWORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21727, 16 February 1934, Page 15

CONTROL OF RAGWORT

PROPOSAL FROM PUTARURU SUPPORT AT TE KUITI [by telegraph—own con respondent] TE KUITI, Thursday A letter from the Putaruru Chamber of Commerce was received at the last meeting of the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce, asking for co-operation in dealing with the ragwort menace. It was stated that at a meeting of local organisations at Putaruru the necessity was urged of legislation heing passed in the next session of Parliament delegating the control of ragwort to local authorities.

It was stated further that under the existing legislation the control of ragwort was vested in inspectors appointed by the Department of Agriculture, but that the duties of these inspectors were so numerous, their districts so large and their powers under the Noxious Weeds Act so limited, that it was impossible for them to effectually deal with the matter.

The chairman, Mr. W. S. Cato, said the ragwort problem was a most serious one, and was really a national matter. The best suggestion he had heard was- for the setting up of a noxious weeds control board, on the same lines as rabbit boards. He favoured the chamber supporting the proposals from Putaruru.

Mr. Craig said the only permanent solution was the settlement of those lands suitable for cultivation and tree planting, wherever possible, on other areas. It was the Crown and native lands that were mainly responsible for the spread of ragwort in the King Country.

It wiis decided to support the Putaruru chamber.