NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1934, Page 4

NOXIOUS WEED CONTROL.

The disappointment expressed by the Taranaki Local Bodies’ Association in regard to the Noxious Weeds Bill cSn be quite understood. The Bill contains nd provision for collecting frOm reserves and Crown lands rates that may be struck for wfeed elimination. The same difficulty of collection would apply where occupiers Of infested lands werd unable to pay their rates, and the net result would be that the settlers who are most energetic in keeping their Own lands clear of weeds would be saddled with the cost Of weed eradication throughout the district. The position in regard to Crown lands has been a sore point with local authorities for many yeari, and mOre particularly since lowered prices caused abandonment Of holdings, many of them in rough cquntry where nOxious weeds find excellent nurseries. Minister after Minister promises urgent attention to this matter, but judging frofiti the latest Noxious Weeds Bill there iS no intehtioh on ‘the part Of the Government to accord local authorities rating pOWers OVer Crown lands for weed eradication, it may be that the protest from the Taranaki association will bring frtni the Government sdme statement of its policy in this regard, though judging from former experience it seems doubtful whether the Ministry has any definite plan in regard to weOd-infested CfOwn lands that it is prepared to follow. The provision for supervision by local authorities made in the Bill is a step in the right direction, but unless the supervision is complete, and has the necessary authority behind it, thefe does not seem much likelihood of eradication being speeded Up by penalties being inflicted upon those who will hot remember their obligations.