RAGWORT CONTROL

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3843, 7 December 1936, Page 4

RAGWORT CONTROL

“A NATIONAL ENEMY.” MINISTER OF LABOUR’S ADMISSION. An assurance that the Government would do all within its power to assist farmers in their fight against the spread of ragwort was given by the Minister of Labour, the Hon. rf. T. Armstrong, when 30 delegates from local bodies in the Waikato and King Country met him in Hamilton on Friday afternoon. Likening the spread of the ragwort to an invading army, the Minister agreed that the most satisfactory campaigning methods were to attack the nest on a national front. He agreed with statements by the delegates that the present system of giving country councils full authority, and funds, was the surest way of heading off the menace. “If we can stamp out ragwort we are not only assistin'” the landholders but we are getting rid of a national enemy,” the Minister said. “If the country were invaded by an enemy we would offer a national front resistance. We should adopt the same policy in combating ragwort which has not only developed into a menace but also into a tragedy. I have wondered lately why many settlers have had the heart to continue the fight.” The Minister said that it was not sufficient to spend the money that was available from the Unemployment Fund, an amount which was not sufficient to grapple with the pest. The most difficult task was dealing with Crown and Native lands. Referring to the recent increase in the pay of ragwort workers from 27s 6d to £4, Mr Armstrong said that the Government had no intention of reverting to the original scale. The nation itself as -well as the landholders should carry the burden. The advance had been in conformity with the general increases for this type of work but he realised that it was asking a good deal from the farmers and he was sorry if it had meant any men being forced to return to the cities. GOVERNMENT THE WORST OFFENDER. The Minister agreed that to send untrained men from the city was not equal to obtaining the services of experienced local men who were not registered unemployed. He knew nothing of a reported shortage of sodium chlorate but he was aware that it would be of sufficient importance for the Government to take action and he hoped that the day was not fardistant when the chemicals could be obtained in greater quantities and at a cheaper rate. “So far as noxious weeds are concerned I recognise that the Government has been the worst offender. Many farmers have been prosecuted for neglect while, alongside, Government property has run wild with weeds,” he said. “I don’t think anyone should be allowed to occupy land unless they make an attempt to keep it clean, and we shall have to take up a decided attitude. If this land is better for nothing else than weeds we might keep the pest in check by -afforestation.” The Minister added that on his return to Wellington he would report on his investigations to Cabinet and the Government would face up to the position to the fullest possible extent.