National Conference on Horticulture

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7066, 27 January 1933, Page 3

National Conference on Horticulture

WELLINGTON, Last Night,

Belief that there is a great future for New Zealand in seed growing was expressed by Mr. F. J. Nathan, of Palmerston North, when speaking yesterday at the National Conference on Horticulture. A resolution was passed urging the development of the industi’y on the grounds that it woulci provide congenial, useful and remunerative occupation for many individuals now on relief work.

Mr. A. H. Cockayne said that New Zealand was admirably suited for the growing of all ty'pes of seed. All that was needed was the right organisation. "One has felt,” he said, "that the Government’s development of certification along certain lines is a step in this direction, and there does not seem to be any particular reason why wo should not advance very largely upon the road of small seed production. There is no avenue that offers more lucrative employment than the growing of small seeds.”

Mrs Knox Gilmer said that there was undoubtedly a market for New Zealand seeds. She had seen New. Zealand plants in Vienna and in Switzerland. She understood that there was a fair demand for New Zealand lawn grass by' American golf clubs. "I believe there is a great future for this country in seed-growing," said Mr. Nathan. “There are difficulties, but they are not insurmountable. There is no reason why wo should import any vegetable seed at all. We can grow all we want. We can grow seed as well as, if not better than, any country in the world. With a little . discovery we can find a market. It is an extraordinary thing that nearly all the seed sold in New Zealand is imported. Instead of importing seed wc ought to be exporting it.” In referring to the progress of citrus research, Mr. Nathan said that trial trees had been planted and careful records kept of those sold. But for the lack of sufficient funds it would have been possible to do a great deal more than was done. Largely owing to the financial stringency it had not boon possible to set up a permanent test area for the growing, under test conditions, of the various trees needed. It was hoped, however, that during the coming season satisfactory arrangements would be made for the establishment of a test area. The work had been carried on in collaboration by the institute and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, the department meeting the expenses involved. The resolutions carried included the following:— That all garden trainees employed by local authorities should be impressed through their employers with the importance of attendance at classes m horticulture at technical and other such institutions with the ultimate view of qualifying for the institute’s diploma of horticulture. That the Minister of Education and other educational authorities be urged to have the name labels placed on all trees, plants, etc., in school gardens. That the Counties Association be thanked for their assistance and that the Government be again requested to make provision for the right to exempt. bush land from rates in terms of the resolution of the 1932 conference; that the Government be asked to pass an amendment to the National Parks. Reserves and Domains Act defining a national park and. to prohibit tho introduction of exotic plants and animals likely to endanger plant and bird life. . That the attention of the Mam Highways Board be drawn to the desirability of more attention being given to road beautification and to tree planting along the highways, and to the suppression of noxious "weeds by tree planting; also to the possibility of indicating dangerous crossroads. In view of tho urgent need for the provision of adequate protection for the discoverers of new varieties o.t plants this conference strongly urges upon the Government the need for the setting up of a nomenclature, board, with statutory powers to prohibit the sale of a plant under a name other than that adopted for it by the board. That the opinion and, if favourable, the assistance of the Royal. Horticultural Societv, be obtained with a view to a modification of the rules of the International Botanical Congress to prevent needless changes in the botanical names of plants. Election of Officers The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr. F. J. Nathan (Palmerston North!; executive committee, Professor H. B. Kirk, Messrs. J. A. Campbell, T. Waugh, H. Baillie, R. B. Hammond, W. R. B. Oliver, F. S. Pope, W. C. Hyde, W. T. Goodwin, W. S. Mason, G. A. Green, B. C. Aston, T. C. Brash, A. 11. Cockayne, T. Lonnie, H. J. Poole, and Mrs. Knox Gilmer.

Professor H. B. Kirk, of Victoria University College, was appointed an honorary Fellow of the Institute and Mr. J. F. Bailey, curator of the Adelaide Botanical Gardens, and Hon. H. D. McLaren, president- of the Royal Horticultural Society, England, were elected honorary members.