DISTRIBUTION OF NOXIOUS WEEDS

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12582, 1 October 1908, Page 7

DISTRIBUTION OF NOXIOUS WEEDS

Government Requested to Take Preventive Steps

At the Wanganui Agricultural Association's meeting yesterda- the Government were severely criticised for dropping the Bill which was circulated and introduced into the House for taking preventive measures to prohibit the importation of agricultural produce or seed when infested with seed of noxious weeds.

Mr C. H. BURNET, in introducing the subject, said it was a matter for regret that so much seed infested with noxious weeds was being distributed in this island. He referred to several cases which had come under hia notice. Not many weeks ago a line of one thousand .sacks of oats had been landed in this district infested with California*, thistle. Again at Feilding a line of 1500 sacks of oats had been imported from the Soujth Island containing 45 per cent, of Californian thistle 63eds, and owing to the percentage of nbxi0115 seed not being" 50 per cent, no nct'on could be taken. It was a very simple 1 ■ °njj to prevent the seeds being mixed. He had himself bought quantities of seed simply infested with noxious seeds. He thought it was for the Government to take action in the matter, and regretted that, through the action of the South Island members, the proposed Bill had not been, gone on with. The question was a serious one for North Island settlers, and steps should be taken to Btop the importation of seed containing noxious seeds. He would like to see all the Agricultural and Pastral Societies take .the matter up, otherwise, if the present state of affairs coriEinued, the land would be ruined by such pests as Californian Thistle. He moved:— That this meeting of the committee of the Wanganui Agricultural Society regret to learn that the Government have withdrawn "The Agricultural Produce. and Sale Importation Bill" from before the House, and- urge Mr Hogan, M.P.. and the members on the coast that steps be taken to bring the importance of the matter again before the Government." Mr D. McGREGOR seconded the motion, remarking that it was quite time strong efforts were made to stop the importation. Members generally were strongly of opinion that the Government should take action, and the motion was carried unanimously.