PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22114, 18 November 1933, Page 11

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS

NOTES FROM PRESS GALLERY {From Ocb Pabuamentabt Reposts*.) WELLINGTON, November 17. EXTERMINATION OF NOXIOUS WEEDS. A grant of £2500 has been authorised by Cabinet for the extermination of noxious weeds on native lands. The Minister of Agriculture (Mr C. E. Macmillan) is adhering to his previous decision that the Government will not trade in sodium of chlorate, which has proved of such great value in the destruction of ragwort. Those who desire to make use of it are recommended to place their orders early with their merchants in order that adequate supplies may be made available at a reasonable price. The Minister has received communications from a number of county councils offering to clear Grown lands of ragwort if the department will provide them with sodium chlorate, and he is negotiating with them to see what assistance he can give. By arrangement with the Unemployment Board councils are able to get all the necessary labour provided free. This concession is also made to any individual who desires to use sodium chlorate for the destruction of ragwort on his land. The Minister mentioned to-day that this is the only unemployment scheme in the country under which labour costs are given free to the man who is going to benefit. VESTEY BROTHERS. Persistent rumours are abroad that Messrs Vestey Bros, are about to renew their application for a grading license for export of dairy produce from the port of Auckland. The Minister of Agriculture (Mr C. E. Macmillan) stated to-day that he had received a number of letters on the subject from dairy companies in the Auckland province expressing opposition to the granting of such license. In each case he had replied that no such application had been received by him, and that he did not think It likely that one would be made in view of his definite refusal last year—a refusal fortified by opinions of the dairy companies of the Auckland district, which he had previously ascertained.