BLACKBERRY MENACE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16975, 5 March 1926, Page 7

BLACKBERRY MENACE.

CRITICISM OF WAIROA FARMERS. REMARKS RESENTED. At a meeting of the Wairoa branch of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union, a letter was received from the Poverty Bay branch in which reference was made to a discussion at a recent meeting when mention was made of tho poci support given by farmers in Wairoa to 'he research work being undertaken by tho Government in that district. The letter mentioned that some members expressed much surprise at tho information, knowing the great keenness ,of the Wairoa president, Mr O. C. Ormerocl, upon the eradication of this particular weed

The following motion was forwarded : "That the Poverty Bay Provincial District regrets to learn that so little assistance has been given by the Wairoa farmers to the research work being carried out in their district, and would ask that every assistance be given to suppress the spread of the blackberry." The letter went on to express a hope that the report received was exaggerated. The Poverty Bay farmers were most, keen and enthusiastic upon eradicating the blackberry and doing everything possible to accomplish its extinction.

The secretary, Mr H. L. Harker, read the Gisborne papers' report of the recent meeting at Gisborne, at which Mr E. F. Northcroft was reported to have said that not one farmer in the Wairoa district had taken up investigation work on his own account. The Wairoa "cockies" had been consistent in their demands for the department to conduct experimental work in their district and now that their wishes had been granted they were most apathetic When the experimental officer arrived in the dis trict, he could not even get a plot of land on which to work. Eventually, when the department, did obtain the laud it was compelled to pay a heavy rental for it. The chairman and secretary explained that all the local arrangements had been made by the department. (Several areas had been offered free for experimental purposes at Marnmam, Te Phi, Wh'akftki and Opoutama, but the Government officers had hardly bothered to notice them. Eventually the department had arranged for a different area altogether. "UTTERLY ABSURD." Mr Ormerod said that it was utterly absurd for the Poverty Bay Fanners Union to say that an extortionate rent iiad been charged. Ho was really astonished at their attitude. It would have been more dignified and tactful if they had written to Wairoa first before broadcasting their false opinions. He took great exception to Mr Northcroft':; assertions. After all the trouble that ho and his Union had gone to, it made him sick of the whole business, and if he did not look upon it as a duty he would throw up the whole thing. He felt very much hurt. As far as he could see by observations at the Te Uhi plot this young man was doing very little good'with his small experimental plot. Several other speakers joined in the discussion and very strong exception was taken by all of them to Mr Cockayne's recent remarks at the Science Congress. They were very feeble and ignorant and quite a contrast, to Dr. Tillvard's sensible speech. When in Wellington some time ago Mr Cockayne had told the chairman, Mr Ormerocl. that ho considered a reward of £40,0C0 would be nearer the mark than £IO,OCO. Now he made the astounding statement reported in the press. Jf that was his opinion then the sooner he was got rid of the better. On the motion of Messrs. Tod and Gkndinin'g the chairman's action in writing promptly to the various papers combatting Mr * Cockayne's statement, was unanimously confirmed. It was further resolved. to protest against the uncalled-for action of the Gisborne brarkh', pointing out that it was impolitic to have such statements published in the papers before getting first-hand information from the Wairoa body. HABMFUL TO UNION. Several speakers said that nothing was more harmful to the Union as a whole, and it was no wondea* that the body was not flourishing when a branch like Gisborne acted as it did. It was not verv encouraging after the great amount of work dono by the 'Wairoa branch. Mr J. M. Taylor. You can ha.rdly blame them, when you have a responsible officer speaking as he did. It was a very unkind action. Quito a number of plots were offered. Many farmers in the district have been ex. perimenting and are continuing to do so. Several had fenced off paddocks ready for them and the Department's officials never had tho courtesy to reply to letters or even to come near them. Mr. E. 11. Glendining: But Gisborne judged us without a hearing. Mr J. M. Taylor asked if a conference could bo held to consider the whole question. The chairman replies) that he had spoken to the Prime Minister and the latter had strongly recommended Wellington.

Continuing, Mr Taylor said 1 that he had been staggered' at Mr Cockayne's first .remarks after ho bail only been an hour or two in the district, for lie had told him that lie expected to sec things a, d sight worse. Personally, he felt that tho area of affected land today was greater than ever, in spite of burning, cutting, goats, etc. Tlie chairman: I am also gelling "fed up"'with things. Chi the motion of Mr J. M. Taylor, it was unanimously decided to ask Mr Northcroft to substantiate his statements at next month's meeting of the Wniroa branch.—Abridged from Wairoa Star.