CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3805, 15 February 1927, Page 55

CALIFORNIAN THISTLE.

FOUR FARMERS FINED. ASHBURTON, February 11. At the Magistrate’s Court to-day four farmers were prosecuted for failing to clear land of Californian thistle. Counsel said that curative measures would leave the defendants bankrupt. The Inspector stated that sonie people held the Act up to ridicule, and it seemed that it paid farmers better to be fined than to do the necessary work. The growing of Algerian oats was a cure for the thistles. The Inspector said that patches of thistle could be cut out, but tho whole wheat crop was affected. . ‘‘This county 'was supposed to be the granary of New Zealand,” he added, “and it is not a. matter of the effect on-the present generation, but on the next generation. Of course the crop would be ruined.” Counsel : Well, sir. you see the position the farmer is in.

The Magistrate: So you want the Act wiped out ? Counsel: Oh, no, sir—hardly that. The Magistrate: I; am here to fix a penalty, a fair penalty, for non-compliance with the Act, which says tha't thistles must be cut before they run to seed. Fining is not going to be the remedy ini these cases, but the law provides that weeds i must be cut. I don’t make . the law. I only administer it. If hardships are inflicted by the Act they should be, put before th«* proper authorities. ’ . ~ Two of the. defendants were fined •each, the third £5, and the fourth £2.