SPREAD OF RAGWORT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 212, 10 September 1935, Page 8

SPREAD OF RAGWORT

OFFER TO LOCAL BODIES. WAITOTARA COUNTY APPROVES Willingness to co-operate with the Department of Agriculture in a scehnie to check the spread of ragwort was minuted by the Waitotara County Council yesterday. The council agreed that it would meet the department to the extent of providing transport of the men to given assembly points, or to shift tneni from those points to others. The Director of the Live Stock Division of the Department (Mr. Barry) wrote to the effect that in order to give every inducement to work on ragwort destruction being carried out, the Unemployment Board had decided to considerably increase the rates of pay. ‘‘But it is expected that the employing authority would supplement the rate by obtaining some contribution from the farmer in order that the men may receive a fair return for their services and to meet the expenses entailed,” Mr. Barry’s letter continued. ‘‘Before finalising the scheme it i" necessary that, some indication be given as to what co-oparation and assistance will be given by the various county councils in the direction of supplying transport, camping gear and the collecting of contributions from farmers.” The letter stated that Mr. F. W. Button, principal inspector in the 1 gton district, would meet the council at an early date. Air. W. Morrison, chairman of the council, stated that together with the chairmen of both the Wanganui and Patea counties and Air. T. Alexander, representing the Rabbit Boards, he had waited on the Alinister in Wellington some ten days ago. They had pointed out to the Alinister that the work of the inspector in the Wanganui district had increased. In the. past he had had an assistant, but when the depression came the staff was cut down. Now the work had trebled, but the inspector at Wanganui thought he could cope with it if he had one assistant. They could then do the work. Cr. R. Farley: And show us where the ragwort is, but not get ride of it. Air. Alorrison added that Native and Crown Lands represented the biggest problem, and what was now offered from the department was the best the council had ever had. The council, on Cr. Farley's motion, intimated its willingness to co-operate to the extent of providing transport of the men and their gear to given points.