HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17706, 7 March 1923, Page 6

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES.

PROPOSED FEDERATION. A project having for its aim the federation of the Horticultural Societies throughout New Zealand, is at present engaging the attention of Mr Geo. A. Green,' secretary of the New Zealand Nurserymen's Association. Mr Green stated yesterday that there wero over 200 Horticultural Societies at present operating- in New Zealand, but they were all independent entities, and nothing in the nature of a general tie or association existed. There were many reasons why a federation of those societies would operate to the advantage of each. A national schedule suited to the requirements of the different centres could be drafted, thereby securing a degree of uniformity. Eegisters of national and district judges could be compiled, and national conferences could be arranged. It jwould also be possible to arrange for national conferences of judges,, thus unifying judging practice and' elim-.! inating the differences in methods of judging which existed at present. .. National certificates and medals issued by societies affiliated to a national j organisation would carry more value, and the national unit could affiliate with the R.H.S. or other body or bodies, as a national unit; the result would be that an increased interest would be developed in all horticultural matters. A National Federation* would give a stability to all activities of horticultural societies that was not now felt, and the opinions of the national body would carry weight within and without New Zealand, which was impossible without it, and in cases of dispute its word would be accepted as final by all interested. It would enable combined action to be taken as a national unit or in co-opferation with other national bodies working for the advancement of horticulture, especially i those having a bearing on the horti- ! cultural education and training within New Zealand. Horticultural societies \ must be organised on national lines before they could take their right | place, and exercise their due influence morally, socially, aesthetically, and edu- ! cationally in the life of the nation. A National Federation could be started by district councils being formed in each large centre, and appointing delegates or representatives on a national executive. As soon as a few leading societies could get together to decide on a National Federation the active work could commence in earnest. The actual details mattered little, so long as a union was effected and a national spirit developed. As a first step, a few societies should' pass resolutions to the effect (1) "That, in the opinion of this Horticultural Society, the time has arrived when it is desirable that a Federation of Horticultural Societies on national lines should be effected," and then (2) "That this Society requests its officers to open up negotiations with similar societies within New Zealand, with a view to starting a Federation of Horticultural Societies in New Zealand." That would give the movement, which had long been needed, a start from which it would grow, and enlarge its usefulness. Such a step at the present juncture would enable the Horticultural Societies to obtain a national representation on the Board of the Instituto of Horticulture, and assist in the development of the policy of this great national movement which meant so much to the future of horticulture in the Dominion. It was many years since the question of a National Federation was mooted and approved by some of the horticultural societies, but up to the present on active steps had been taken to move in the matter as between the various societies.