RAGWORT MENACE.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18258, 20 February 1931, Page 8

RAGWORT MENACE.

CONFERENCE IN HAMILTON

“ A NATIONAL QUESTION/’

DECISIVE ACTION URGED. A conference on the ragwort menace, attended by representatives of the Government, local bodies, and the Waikato branch of the Farmers Union, was held to-day'in Hamilton. The chairman, Mr J. H. Furniss, president of the Waikato branch of the Farmers’ Union, who also represented the .Raglan County Council, said that the man who had not got ragwort on his property now would have it before long. Many were unable to keep their properties clear owing to the negligence of neighbours in not keeping the menace in check. It was out of the power of the ordinary Individual to keep his land free if he was surrounded by areas where the weed was allowed to spread unchecked. The thing to do was to tackle the matter at its source, which was, in his belief, that the -weed flourished on land owned by absentees, the Crown and natives. Explanation by Inspector. Mr D. Munro, an inspector of the Department of Agriculture, explained some of the difficulties of the department and stated that in sodium chlorate farmers had a “100 per cent kill” when it was properly used. It was also reasonably cheap. Merchants had not been keen on importing large stocks until its efficiency had been proved, but the stocks would soon be ample. Messrs S. 11. West (Te Awamutu Farmers’ Union)', W. C. Kennedy (Piako County Council), and W. J. Marx (To Pahu Farmers’ _ Union) spoke stressing .the contention that uncared for land was the biggest menace' and that the seed was waterborne as well as wind-borne. Seriousness Stressed. Air Furniss pointed out that they were dealing with a national question and they must consider it from that standpoint. Mr Kennedy moved “that this conference is of opinion that unless the Government takes some action in the matter of eradication of ragwort many farmers in New Zealand, especially in South Auckland, will have to walk off their farms.” The resolution was carried unanimously. The following was similarly car-ried:-—“That the cost of such clearing should be a charge against the land affected, as against thfe present method of making it a charge against the occupier." It was pointed out by Mr E. F. Peacocke (Waipa County Council) that it was important that the weed should be eradicated in its incipient stage before it was given the opportunity to flower. ' It was explained by the Government inspector that the difficulty in regard to a certain property that w’as overrun with the weed was that it was owned by a person whom they had not heard of for from 30 to 40 years. If the department entered upon the land and cleared the weed and made a charge against the land, from whom could they recover the money expended? Mr Peacocke considered r>t a fund should be created, to deal with those lands which were of no value and the owners of which could not be found. Mr Furniss thought that lands of this nature should be handed over to the .Afforestation Department. The trees' would soon smother the weed out. Mr Peacocke moved: “That a fund be created to deal with small valueless blocks in clean areas.” Crown Lands. The question of clearing Crown lands and the menace of the weed on these areas to the rest of the community was discussed at length. It was suggested by several that certain Crown lands should be offered freely for settlement and sufficient inducement given to settlers to take it up. Work for Unemployed.

A suggestion was made that the unemployed be given work in clearing large areas of the w : eed on certain Grown lands, instead of giving them employment on unproductive works. A further suggestion, “that Crown lands be thrown open for settlement for sheep or dairying on such terms as shall induce settlers to take them up conditional upon the ragwort being eradicated,” was carried.

The department is also to be asked to consider the possibility of methods of afforestation in those affected areas which are not suitable for sheep or dairying.

Dealing with the question of native lands Mr Furniss thought that a survey should be made of all native lands, and that these lands be classified as suitable for dairying, • sheep farming or afforestation. That which was not taken up by the natives should be thrown open for European settlement.

The question was a big one, as Mr Munro pointed out. The trouble was to ascertain individual native ownership. It was a hopeless task, he added. He could see no better method of dealing with the question than that now' under consideration by the department.

It was decided, on the motion of Mr Kennedy, that while the many difficulties of the Government in dealing with the question of noxious weeds on native lands was realised, that a suggestion be offered that relief be given to adjoining settlers and as a means to this end aproval be given to the hastening of the individualisation of native lands.

It was resolved to ask the Department of Agrioulture to supply at cost price sodium chlorate for the eradication of ragwort.