Abolition Of Committee Urged

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32295, 13 May 1970, Page 8

Abolition Of Committee Urged

The abolition of the Wheat Research Committee was advocated in a remit passed at the 1 annual meeting yester- | day of the agriculture section of North Canterbury Federated Farmers, > when diverse views were expressed on the committee’s action in refusing to accept a report by Dr Harvey Smith, Director of the Crop Research Division, Lincoln, and preventing the re- ; lease of a new wheat ; variety, 1020-01, known i as Kopara. The remit which will go to the Dominion conference. I asked that a deputation be sent to meet the Minister of Science (Mr Taiboys) and the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Carter) and discuss the abolition of the committee. “If the committee is to remain as a non-scientific advisory committee, then it should stick to its terms of reference and not try to control the wheat industry.” said a note to the remit. “If the committee is to continue as a sectional political platform, farmers should not be represented on it.” ! Moving the remit on behalf ’of the Ellesmere branch. Mr G. E. Rennie, said that far- . mers were having enough struggle—trying to keep ahead of costs, and could not have the work of scientists ‘negated by such a committee. Kopara was a wheat of higher quality than Arawa. “It is high time ad hoc: bodies stopped putting obstacles in the way of far-; mers,” said Mr Rennie. “The Wheat Research Committee is trying to act as dictator to the I wheat growers. It is even trying to control varieties imported into New Zealand and ‘ to force on farmers contract growing of wheat, which they have turned down.” New Varieties By failing to receive Dr (Smith’s report the commit-'

tee had abrogated any right it thought it had to release new wheat varieties. New varieties should be released through the usual channels by which all other crops and grasses were released, and then farmers would not be dictated to by a financially interested committee. Mr Rennie said that decisions to release new varieties should be made by an expert, and not by a sectional body with financial interests. If the Wheat Research Committee wanted to fulfil its real function—the payment for quality, and the definition of quality—it should solve these problems immediately if it had any interest in the consumer. “Farmers should not be prepared to accept the decision of this layman committee in refusing to accept the evidence given by a scientist whose actual job is to make this evaluation in the interests of New Zealanders," Mr Rennie continued. “The refusal to accept Dr Smith’s report can only be taken as a vote of no confi-. dence in all those scientists involved in the breeding of new wheat varieties. We employ world - renowned scientists, and they have given New Zealand grasses, vegetables and grains recognition throughout the world. “Red Tape” “If we expect to employ men of this calibre, we must accept the fact that freedom to make progress must not be restricted by red tape, or by individuals who will not receive a report, apparently because some of the material did not suit them." Mr Rennie said he did not claim that Kopara was the [best wheat in the world, but some other varieties, presumably backed by the committee, had failed under farm [testing, it would appear that the committee took credit for successes, and the breeders ' took the blame for failures. “There are too many bodies looking after the wheat industry,” said Mr C. R. Bayley (Fernside), seconding the reI mit. A member of the Wheat Re-

search Committee, Mr R. G. Rainey, said the committee had always been responsible for releasing new varieties. The argument had arisen because Dr Smith wanted to change the procedure and give the Crop Research Division the say. But, said Mr Rainey, the committee was responsible for financing research and someone must have .the say in releasing varieties. Mr A. L. Copp, the chief wheat breeder, did not want to release Kopara, Dr Smith did. There must be agreement somewhere. Many Strains He explained that 1020 wheat had many strains. Mr Copp wanted to wait to find the best strain and breed it up. “We are being directed by a cost-plus industry,” said the chairman (Mr A. L.' Mulholland). “The fears of millers and bakers that Kopara will replace Hilgendorf are groundless.” Other opinions:— Mr A. C.’ Nutt, member New Zealand Wheqt Board: “This is a national, riot a provincial matter, and we should not rush in. If we take a stand, it may be shown later that it is not a wise One.” Mr G. E. V. Hutton (Darfield: “There may be significant points that we don’t know about.” Mr T. E. Streeter (Motukarara): "If Mr Copp is not happy, it may well be true also for the farmer.” Mr N. Q. Wright, v‘ echairman: “There is no i national policy on wheat and I farmers are confused. The | price should be based on .quality, leaving us to decide whether or not to grow feed grains.” National Approach Mr A. F. Wright, provincial senior vice-president: “Two years ago. we had it made clear by the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) that he would not listen to sectional arguments. The national approach is the only one.” Mr, Mulholland then refer-

red to an earlier part of the discussions, taken jn committee and said he would repeat what he then said. “I said I was concerned that the Wheat Research Committee • accused someone in ' open, meeting and then 1 * had the rest of the argument-iri com-. mittee,” 1 “This is not just a question of the release of Kopara,” said Mr Rennie, ending ,the debate. “The Wheat Research Committee is an ad hoc body that is doing us no good, and over which we have no control." Bread was a political hot potato, but farmers should not suffer, he said. Kopara gave them a chance to Increase production, and they should be allowed to do so. If Kopara were released tomorrow, not everybody would use it The remit Was carried on the voices, with a few “no’s ” On the motion of Mr A. T; Metherell (Sefton) .it-was agreed to send the remit to the Dominion conference. World Standard “We are extremely grateful to men like Mr Copp for the dedicated work they do,” said Mr Mulholland, in bis annual report. "Wheat breeding in New Zealand is rated on a standard to any in the world, it would be a tragedy to see another year go by without the Release of the new wheat, 1020.” Dr Smith, who later addressed »the meeting, but did not hear the debate, said that Kopara yielded, on the average, 17 per cent more than Aotea, and had equal baking quality when grown in the main wheat-growing districts. “Mr Copp has achieved the New Zealand wheat of the century, and,! will do my utmost to have the merits of this variety recognised,” he isaid.