NOXIOUS WEEDS COMMITTEE (REPORT OF).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1891 Session II, I-11

L—ll

Sess. 11.—1891. NEW ZEALAND.

NOXIOUS WEEDS COMMITTEE (REPORT OF).

Brought up 24th September, 1891, and ordered to be printed.

Youe Committee has the honour to report that they have carefully considered all the questions that have been submitted to them relating to the growth and spread of noxious weeds, such as thistle, gorse, sweetbriar, prickly-pear, acacia, and Bathurst burr. The questions submitted to them have been gone into as fully as time would permit, and your Committee is convinced that the statements made by landholders in all parts of the colony that lands are being rapidly overrun by weeds and shrubs of the above-named varieties is amply borne out by facts. That this rapid growth must tend to greatly diminish the value of the lands for agricultural and pastoral purposes is self-evident. The matter is one that requires urgent and careful attention, and your Committee recommends that the Government should next session introduce the necessary legislation to deal with the question. Your Committee has also considered the question of phylloxera, which is known to infest grapevines in certain parts of the colony. As the result of their inquiries, and from evidence given to them, they are of opinion, and recommend, — (1.) That blight-proof stock vines of the most reliable varieties should be introduced into the colony. (2.) That, before the vines are generally distributed, they should be subjected to strict quarantine in order to insure that the germs of the disease do not exist. Your Committee recommends to the careful consideration of Parliament and the country the important matters dealt with in this report. T. Mackenzie, 24th September, 1891. Chairman. {Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,200 copies), 15s.]

By Authority : Geobge Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9l. Price, 3d.]