SPREAD OF RAGWORT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 83, 8 April 1933, Page 18 (Supplement)

SPREAD OF RAGWORT

CONCERN IN TARANAKI. “The position is verv serious. I don’t know what is going to happen unless something is done. I think the whole thing should be made a national matter,” said Mr. A. Chapman, when referring at a meeting of the North Taranaki Farmers’ Union to the spread of ragwort. He advocated that the Government should supply sodium chloral' free to fanners, pouting out that during the bad times many people were unable to afford to buy the spray. Mr. H. E. Blyde, provincial president, said he thought the North Taranaki executive had moved more in the matter than any other executive in New Zealand. The more one considered the matter the more difficult it seemed to supply any satisfactory remedy. If the menace was to be coped with successfully it would entail an enormous expenditure. Tt would cost more on some land than the land itself was worth. If the position was not watched much good land would be spoiled as the good land was fast becoming infested. Mr. Chapman: Wo should ask the Government to take over control. I do not think any merchant has a right to a farthing out of sodium chlorate. It would be a little help if the spray was provided free, said Mr. Blyde, but that was only a small part of the problem. A lot would not use it unless they were made to. It would certainly be beneficial to have the sodium chlorate supplied free, as any lessening of ragwort would be profitable to the country. Mr. Chapman added that another trouble was that the cattle were starting to eat the weed, with disastrous results. It was decided to ask the Government to import the sodium chlorate free, it being suggested that it be distributed through county councils.