FARMERS AND FIREBLIGHT

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18024, 20 May 1930, Page 9

FARMERS AND FIREBLIGHT

POSITION IN WAIRARAPA. A remit from tne Masterton branch of the Farmers’ Union that the Minister of Agriculture be asked to defer the compulsory eradication of hawthorn under clauses of the fireblight regulations for three months from June, and that in the meantime the Farmers’ Union make every endeavour to have clause 2', providing for compulsory trimming of hawthorn, substituted for clause 3, received considerable discussion at the annual meeting of the Wairarapa provincial executive of ' the Farmers’ Union, the executive finally resolving to stand by its previous resolution that fruitgrow'ers be supported in their endeavour to have Wairarapa declared a fireblight area. Mr Patterson thought that there would be little chance of having the request granted, and it would be wiser to ask for compensation. If this request were not granted, he thought fruitgrowers should be taxed to pay part of the eradication expenses. Observing that request was reasonable, Mr ’T- B. Barrer was of opinion that Wairarapa orchards would not be affeoted by the three months protraction of the Act. Mr Barrer thought also that it was unfair to expect farmers to pay all the costs of .eradicating -hawthorn. After further discussion it was resolved to stand by the former resolution. ’