SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF FARMING

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21865, 19 August 1936, Page 5

SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF FARMING

i ♦ FORMATION OF PARENT BODY URGED MR A. H. COCKAYNE’S VIEWS (press association telegram.) PALMERSTON N., Augiist 18. • At the fifth annual conference of the New. Zealand Grassland Association to-day, Mr A. H. Cockayne (Director-General of Agriculture) expressed the opinion that the movement taken to co-ordinate research into grassland problems was one of the most important in the agricultural history of the Dominion. He also emphasised the need for a parent body representing the full thought of the scientific worker and the progressive farmer —some type of agricultural science association, to which all technical and perhaps nontechnical workers should belong. The development of such an idea would be of permanent benefit to New Zealand. The broadening of the outlook of the specialist was a necessity in putting theory into practice. Mr L. J. Wild, president of the Royal Agricultural Society, visualised a similar organisation representative of all farming activities, which could speak in one voice to the Government and give guidance in matters of agriculture. Some observations on the export ol grass, clover seeds from New Zealand were made by Mr Cockayne. He said there were many who were optimistic enough to think New Zealand could establish a large export trade, particularly with great Britain, and the Continent. At present, the only regular pasture seeds exported in any quantity were chewings fescue, brown top, crested dogstail, and white clover, but whenever crop shortages in ryegrasses. and red clover took place. Great Britain and Europe scoured the world for supplies, and a transitory trade developed. However, the only rye procurable at the price offered New Zealand was what \vas known as false perennial and Italian, both of which were recognised as extremely bad types, and the question that arose was whether in the interest of the future development of good types, bad ones should be allowed to be exported. , _ Recently he had a letter from Professor W. Riddet, emphasising the bad name New Zealand was getting through the shipment of these lowgrade ryes, but seeing that Great Britain was not prepared to pay the price the Dominion wanted for its better ryes and bad types were demanded by the trade, any prohibition of export would only lead to a serious complaint frbm producers. Just how the position could be put on a better footing he war. unable to say. The only way New Zealand’s better ryes could get a footing in Great Britain would be on a competitive price basis, but when they could be sold at a better price in New Zealand there appeared to be no method whereby such competition could come about.