Nuffield Scholars “Get Together”

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31754, 10 August 1968, Page 9

Nuffield Scholars “Get Together”

IT is 18 years since the first 1 Nuffield farming scholars were selected in New Zealand to visit Britain. This week for the first time 22 men from all parts of the country, including more than half from the South Island, who have gone to Britain under these scholarships, gathered at Massey University in Palmerston North at a reunion conference to discuss, informally, major issues of the day facing agriculture in this country in the light of their overseas experience. Among the group were the first two farmers selected to go to Britain 18 years ago. They were Mr C. Hilgendorf, deputy chairman of the Meat Board, from Sherwood in MidCanterbury, and Mr B. Murphy of Mangawhero. In welcoming the former scholars to the meeting Mr J. L. McGrath, the United Kingdom agricultural adviser in New Zealand, noted, in lighter vein, the predominance of South Islanders by referring to “many of you scattered all over the South Island. I do not want to make too fine a point of that,”

he added. “But Dr M. M. Bums suggested that we hold this meeting at Lincoln College and that would have only confirmed this." Mr McGrath described the meeting as “your own get together,” for which the initiative had been taken by the former Diredtor-General of Agriculture, Mr D. N. R. Webb, before he left the Department of Agriculture. Mr Webb attended the conference and was a speaker and his successor, Dr A. T. Johns, was present in the opening stages and also spoke to the meeting. During the conference thought was given to the holding of similar meetings in the future and the next will be held in April, 1971, in the South Island, probably at Lincoln College.

Former scholars from Canterbury who attended the reunion conference were Messrs Hilgendorf, G. A. Nutt (Motukarara), G. J. Slater (Hilton, Geraldine), C. N. Mackenzie (Motunau), D. J. Hulston (Waimate), D. K. Mackenzie (Ealing), J. R. Cocks (Eiffelton) and P. G. Morrison (Sheffield). Mr J. D. O’Connor, of Westport, was also present.