DAIRY FARMERS’ UNION

Feilding Star, Volume 6, Issue 1889, 27 April 1928, Page 7

DAIRY FARMERS’ UNION

PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE DISCUSS PURE SEEDS NO GOVERNMENT PROTECTION. The monthly meeting of the Wellington provincial executive of the Dairly Farmers’ Union was held in Palmerston yesterday afternoon. Mr N. Campbell presiding. Also {iresent : Messrs J. Boyce, P. J. Small, F. J. Legg, M. Richardson. G. Wagstaff, L. A. Poiipard and W. G. Short. QUESTION OF ANALYSIS In reply to a communication from the executive, the Government seed analyst advised that there was no Government germination and purity requirements l’or either local or imported seed. Last year the question of Government inspection of imported seeds had been raised, but. without some form of control of local seed, such a measure would have been useless. There were no limits to the time during which seed of any kind might be stored, an 1 merchants were in no way compelled to give guarantees as to purity ami germination of seeds sold by them. Two nr three retailers, however, gave guarantees to standards of purity and germination set by themselves. THE DISCUSSION Mr Small expressed the opinion hat, in view of the importance of (lie matter, it should be referred to the annual conference. Mr Poiipard: The big firms think too much of their reputation to send out bad seed. I have not. heard of anyone who lias suffered. Mr Short : I planted some imported Rirnip seed and l could not get it to germinate. Mr Small : I know a farmer who planted 20 acres of turnip seed and it came up rape. A member: But that hasn't got anything to do with germination. Following further brief comment, it; was decided to act on Mr Small's suggestion.