CONTROL OF RAGWORT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21757, 23 March 1934, Page 8

CONTROL OF RAGWORT

The seriousness of the ragwort menace to the grasslands of the province was clearly indicated by the widely-representative character of the conference held to discuss it in Hamilton yesterday. The weed has swept through the countryside, and its control demands much more comprehensive measures than have so far been employed. The Department of Agriculture is charged with the task of inspection and legal action is taken for neglect. Fines are imposed, but this does not necessarily mean that seeding is prevented and that areas which have been kept clean are not endangered. The county councils suggest that control should be placed in their hands, that they should have authority to use ordinary revenue or special levies for the eradication of the weed, such moneys to be subsidised by a like sum from the Government plus the amount of its present expenditure on the control of noxious weeds. The principle of local control can be supported in these special circumstances, for war has to be waged upon a common enemy. Objection from closely settled districts where the weed has not become established may be anticipated, but what is the responsibility of one locality ought to be the responsibility of all. Neglect anywhere will allow the weed to spread more widely. The conference wisely adopted the principle of local responsibility. The question of State assistance is a matter for inquiry. Obviously the individual has his task to perform, but Government aid should at least be the amount of ragwort levy Crown and native lands would .pay if held privately. Further, the Government should pay the cost of dealing with the weed on Crown and native lands where there has already been a great deal of costly neglect. Private effort should not be nullified in this way. Such neglect is a bad example and a deterrent to neighbouring farmers. Official drift can be no longer permitted. It is to be hoped that in the coming session the Government will face the issue, and by co-operation with local authorities make their campaigns fully effectual. In the meantime consideration should be given to the proposal to assist the Cawthron Institute to extend the work it has already carried out in seeking a parasite that will attack the plant without harming those of value. Through the contraction "of its finances the institute's department of entomology has been heavily retrenched.