NOXIOUS WEEDS ACT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 57, 9 March 1946, Page 4

NOXIOUS WEEDS ACT

WANGANUI COUNTY STILL DIVIDED CIRCULAR TO RATEPAYERS Divided opinions on the question of whether the Wanganui County Council should take over full control of noxious weeds were again expressed at the monthly meeting yesterday, after Cr. E. T. Hine, seconded by Cr. R. A. Bamber, had moved that council administer the Noxious Weeds Act. Following a full discussion, Cr. T. Mitchell moved that before any decision was reached the council should send a circular letter to all ratepayers and seek their opinion. This motion was seconded by Cr. K. W. Stewart, and carried by five votes to four. It was indicated that in adopting a policy for the future the council would be guided by the consensus of opinion m expressed by the ratepayers. For the amendment were the chair- £ man, Cr. A. H. Collins, and Cri. T. ▼ Mitchell, L. A. Mackintosh, R. W. ' Stewart and L. C. Anderson. Against it were Crs. E. T. Hine, R. A. Bamber, N. Neilson and F. G. Friedrick. Moving that the council take over the administration of the Noxious Weeds Act, Cr. Hine said that weeds were out of control in most parts of New Zealand. “We have already discussed this question on two or three occasions and I believe that if we administer the Act sympathetically much will be achieved toward keeping noxious weeds under control.” said Cr. Hine. "There is no need to rush In and antagonise people.” The Wanganui County should have taken over the administration of the Act years ago, said Cr. Bamber. Had it done so the country would have benefited considerably from increased nroduction. “I am of the opinion that difficulties could be overcome _ if we administered the Act sympathetically,” Cr. Bamber added. It was essential that road frontages and boundary fences should receive first attention. Cr. Mitchell: What do you mean by sympathetically? Both the mover and the seconder of the motion have used that term. If the Noxious Weeds Act was administered to the letter of the law no farmer would be safe, but the county must he reasonable, said Cr. The council could not Insist on farm-Y ers clearing the properties Immediately. Cr. Bamber: There would be no need to prosecute as long as a man was doing something to control or confine the weeds on his property. PREVIOUS DECISIONS

The chairman said the council had discussed this question on several occasions and had actually decided to administer the Act, but the resolution was subsequently rescinded. The Department of Agriculture had been administering the Act, but the spread of noxious weeds was such that the department was unable to cope with the work. It was no option for counties to take over the A, ct 11 tW wished.

The select committee of the House of Representatives had suggested in ita report to the Government on local body administration that some counties were shirking their responsibilities by not taking over the Act, but this was hardly fair. “If we did take over the Act we would have a large area of native land to look after. Much of it has been abandoned and the council would be faced with heavy expeitfc ture,” the chairman added. “There is also talk of a Disinheritance Bill, and if this Government stays In power it will surely come. Why should the county grub weeds for the Government?

The chairman declared that he was not opposed to the county taking over the control of noxious weeds, but It needed some assurance from the Government that financial assistance would be forthcoming. If the executive of the New Zealand Counties' Association gave its approval he would support the measure: Cr. Hine: What do you mean by approval? The Counties' Association had already gone into this question with the Government, said the chairman. It the State promised a subsidy there would be no objection to counties taking over control of noxious weeds. Cr. Hine: The Rangitlkei County, our next-door neighbour. Is already administering the Act. Cr. Mitchell said he also resented the suggestion that counties were shirking their responsibilities. “I fail to see how the Act could be administered simply, ’ he added. “There are hundreds of acres which need clearing and unless the job is done properly it is of no use having anything to do with the Act. The Department cf Agrculture Wf failed completely in that respect. Takin - over the administration of the Act would mean an increase in rates at ft time when they ore already mounting.” rangitikei county “The Rangitikei County is in a different position from Wanganui, ’ said the chairman. “Apart from its southeastern cornet, where the weeds havt got away, Rangitikei is a comparatively ciean county.” Cr. Hine: But Rangitikei is keeping the rest of its county clear of weeds. That is what I’m seeking here. “If we took over the administration of the Act we could compel farmers to clear small patches of weeds, but we would not insist that they do the impossible,” said Cr. Anderson. The chairman: You admit that we would not get anywhere? Cr. Anderson: Not at all, but there are small patches ol gorse that should be cleared. If we had control we would insist on that work being done. Administration costs would be very heavy, and in the first year the county would be involved in an expenditure of £lOOO to £l2OO. . Cr. Mitchell: That would mean a rate of one-eighth of a penny. The Wanganui County had good ana bad country so far as noxious weeds were concerned, said Cr. Mackintosh He added that ratepayers were divided on this question, but the county would be sorry if it assumed control now and found a month or so later that the Government had agreed to give assistance. 'Phe chairman: We should not do anything till such time as the Government is prepared to give assistance. “On the grounds of expense this would be beyond us,” said Cr. Stew Tart. Cr. Mackintosh: If we could get a lead from the ratepayers as to what they want it would be a great help. Cr. Hine: Any ratepayer with a lot of noxious weeds on his property which receive no attention would be opposed to the measure. The chairman: I suggest that we send a circular letter to all ratepayers and let them decide. An amendment along these lines was subsequently moved by Cr. Mitchell and carried.