BLACKBERRY PEST

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16622, 14 April 1928, Page 15

BLACKBERRY PEST

CONTROL BY BOARDS "ONLY WANTS URGING" The suggestion made some .time ago that boards, similar to those formed for the control of rabbits, should be constituted for the eradication and control of blackberry, was again put forward at a meeting of the Poverty Bay executive of the Now Zealand Farmers' Union this afternoon, when it was decided to ascertain what had been done in connection with a,former application in this respect, and also to enquire what- was being done in connection with the liberation of parasites calculated to eradicate, the blackberry. Mr. J. C. Graham said the Government, bad a parasite, which would not only kill blackberries, but also raspberries. This was not, released for that reason. lie maintained that if .this was the case it would be for the benefit of the country generally if the Government were to release the parasites and compensate the raspberry growers. Tho president, Mr. h'. S. Bowen, said it was true the Government was holding up the liberation of the parasite for the reason stated. Mr. J. C. Field, though remarking that officials were doing their best, maintained that no good would eventuate till they had blackberry boards similar to those set up for the control of rabbits. The president moved that the secretary ascertain from the Dominion secretary what was the result of the application to the Minister of Agriculture for legislation for the formation of blackberry, boards. Mr. Field said the matter only wanted urging and the application for blackberry boards would be granted. The president's motion was carried. It wjis decided also to enquire what was being done in connection with the liberation of the blackberry parasites.