CONTROL OF RAGWORT

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1930, Page 5

CONTROL OF RAGWORT

PROSPECTS OF CHEMICAL SPRAY.

REMIT FROM MIDHIRST FARMERS.

“It is a question that has been well thrashed, -but if prompt action-is- not taken it will undoubtedly thrash us,” said Mr. W, Vickers at last night’s meeting of the Midhirst Farmers’ Union in introducing the question of the menace of ragwort. The Government, he said, had recently allowed it to be made known that certain experiments with a non-poisonous chemical had proved very successful in eradicating the weed. He believed it would be timely for the branch to ask the department, with as little delay as possible, to make the chemical available to farmers, also the appliances necessary for its application. Otherwise, he said, the next mid-summer might find a scarcity of both the chemical and, the sprays. Moreover, these things siiould be s -.pplicd direct to the farmer at the'lowest possible price. The matter promoted a lengthy discussion, after which the following remit was passed and adopted: “That this meeting requests the Government to take full control of the supply of chemical and sprayers to be used for the eradication of noxious weeds and supplythem to farmers at cost price."