RAGWORT WEED MENACE

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1932, Page 5

RAGWORT WEED MENACE

ASSISTANCE BY GOVERNMENT.

SUPPLY OF UNEMPLOYED LABOUR.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Wellington, Last Night.

The proposals of the Government to assist landowners to cope with the ragwort menace were outlined in the House of Representatives to-day in a lengthy

statement by the Hon. C. E. Macmillan.

The Minister said the Government was prepared to suoply labour through the Unemployment Board by billeting men on farms (the land-owner to supply board, lodging and material), and in districts where camps were already in existence by diverting unemployed labour for the time being for weed destruction (the land-owner to supply transport and material). .’a The Minister pointed out that there were land-owners whose financial position was such that they did not require assistance from the Government, and in fairness to all concerned such owners should keep the weed trader control free of cost to the State. He suggested county councils and other interested organisations should assist those owners who were financially unable to make use of the labour offered. Tlte Government could not afford to undertake the control of the pest free of cost to the land-owner. The department would do its best towards dealing with the pest on Ctown and unindividualised Native lands. The assistance promised from the Unemployment Board would hold good during the present season, and the Minister said he would seriously consider instituting proceedings against landowners whose failure to take advantage of the opportunities available operated to the detriment of others. The Minister stressed the efficacy of sodium chlorate in completely killing ragwort plants.