NOXIOUS WEEDS PEST.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 January 1923, Page 7

NOXIOUS WEEDS PEST.

POSITION CAUSING ALARM. DEPARTMENT TO BE APPROACHED. The rapid spread of noxious weeds in various parts of Taranaki has been causing the settlers grave alarm, and spasmodic, attempts to gain relief have been made by various local bodies. Yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki Local Bodies’ Association at Eltham came to the concluson that it was high time concerted action was taken to check the spread of weeds.

The chairman (Mr. C. J. Belcher) said the district had come to that position when something drastic would have to be done. It was of no use approaching the local inspectors, who did very little, and. the weeds were getting out of control. He knew of one case in the Stratford county where a settler, charged collectors of blackberries one shilling per head for admission to his property,: and he did a great trade. When this kind of thing went on the result was obvious. In some places ragwort was growing unchecked in large areas. The towns would be affected, as the productive powers of the land were falling away.

Mr. A. Morton believed, the department recognised the position and was making some move to check the spread of weeds.

Mr. J. B. Murdoch suggested that heavier penalties should be imposed on sellers of seeds containing noxious ■weeds, the present nominal fines being useless. Mr. A. Morton pointed out that at one time the Inglewood district was badly infested with weeds, especially ragwort, but this was now mostly cleared away, the effect of working the land, Mr. W. J. Tristram suggested the formation of a noxious weeds board, and the chairman agreed that this wgs a good idea. It was pointed out that in some of the back, unploughable country the weeds had complete possession, and discretion would have to bi exercised in imposing regulations. The,hopeless inadequacy of one inspector for a large district wfts emphasised. It was finally decided that, the Minister’s attention be drawn to the spread of weeds in Taranaki, and that the department be urged to deal with the position. The chairman and Mr. Murdoch were deputed to wait on the Minister in Wellington.