NURSERYMEN MEET

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 105, 28 January 1931, Page 10

NURSERYMEN MEET

National Conference

delegates welcomed

Civic and Government

The attendance of nurserymen at the first national conference of the New Zealand Horticultural Trades Association and the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture was one of the largest gatherings of the kind held in the Dominion, representatives from all parts of Zealand being present. Mr. N. G. Davies, New Plymouth, was in the chair. An outline of the week’s programme was given by the president, who said it was the first conference of the kind in New Zealand, and it was hoped some important business would be done. The Deputy-Mayor, Mr. M. F. Luckie, apologised for the absence of the Mayor, nnd extended a hearty welcome to the delegates on behalf of the city. AU citizens were interested in the work of the different organisations in creating among the people a love of the beautiful. The City Council had been greatly assisted by their efforts in the beautification of the city. He hoped all would enjoy their stay and that the Dominion would profit by their deliberations. . The Hon. J. G. Cobbe, Minister of Defence, said that the Prime Minister, the Right Hou. G. W. Forbes, had not seen his home for about a year, and would not be in Wellington until to-day, so had asked him to attend in his place. The Minister commended the work the horticultural organisations were doing, and trusted that the first national conference would achieve the success it deserved. 'Their objects deserved the support of all classes of the people, for there was nothing narrow or selfish about them. They had the co-operation of the horticultural branch of the Agricultural Department, and many valuable experiments, were being conducted to further their work. The New Zealand climate was particularly suitable for the purpose in which they were engaged. The growing of plants, trees and seeds was a most important branch of horticulture, and he must say that the Dominion nurserymen did supply plants'and trees true to name and in every way satisfactory, showing that growers possessed skill and knowledge, kept abreast of the times, and watched the latest horticultural developments. , . Great attention was now being, given to the growth of seed, and the experiments that had been carried out and the modern methods of testing must greatly increase the already high-reputation of New Zealand seeds, said the Minister. He referred to some perennial rye grass which he had seen in the last few days, which was of excellent quality. In declaring the conference open he hoped it would be a success. , T The president of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, Mr. F. J. Nathan, expressed thanks to the Deputy-Mayor and the Minister for attending to welcome the delegates and open the conference. There were many things in which they looked for the assistance of the Government, and they were glad that the importance of their industry was recognised. In most countries a man producing a new flower, fruit, or vegetable had protection, but at present there was no such protection in New Zealand, and they proposed to ask the Government to remedy that position. . Mr. J. N. McLeod, vice-president, Christchurch, and Mr. T. Waugh. Wellington, supported, and the conference then. proceeded to its order paper.