FUTURE OF SEEDS TRADE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25081, 13 January 1947, Page 6

FUTURE OF SEEDS TRADE

VIEWS €>F A LONDON MERCHANT . “ The Press ” 'Special Service PALMERSTON NORTH, January 10. Commenting on the seed-testing station at Palmerston North, Mr R. W. Gunson, London seed merchant and director of a seed firm which handles a large volume of seed exported from New Zealand and re-exports it to European countries, said that the equipment and facilities offering at the station were rather behind the times, and did not allow the station to give the service to New Zealand agriculture which trade internally as well as externally warranted. He described the standard of work being done as excellent, and up to that of older and established stations. Mr Gunson said New Zealand seeds had gained a high reputation overseas since the introduction of the certification scheme, and New Zealand methods were now being adopted by other. countries. A large portion of New Zealand’s exports last year had been used to help m the restoration of agriculture in devastated Continental countries. Mr Gunson said he thought it would be wrong for New Zealanders to believe that their seeds would sell because of their quality. The law of supply and the question of price would be dominating factors. Supply from other countries, he said, already had killed the outlet for New Zealand cocksfoot, and the same position might arise in regard to other New Zealand seeds. He considered that the danger of present high prices was very great, and was forcing buyer countries to supply their own needs or to seek other and cheaper supplies.