HORTICULTURAL SEEDSMEN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22479, 25 January 1935, Page 5

HORTICULTURAL SEEDSMEN

ANNUAL CONFERENCE .' The fourteenth, annual conference of the Horticultural. Seedsmen’s Association of New Zealand was! held in the Y.M.CA: Buildingyestefday, when delegatee were present froitr.'.as far north as Auckland, and iii far south as Invercargill The president (Mr K. Merritt) opened the conference, and remarked on the excellent show staged by_ the members of this and allied associations. - Business, which was of vital interest to the seed trade of New Zealand, was discussed. The president expressed his dismay at the action of the Unemployment Board of advancing £IOO to a committee for expenditure-'on the purchase of seed which was procured from overseas firms, for reproduction of seeds for sale in New Zealand. The labour required, he said, was to be paid for. out of. unemployment funds. This action was very unfair to members of the association. As ifwas in direct'competition with' members who were producing the same ’seeds. It was pointed out that the growing Of; seeds required skilled knowledge, and it was only by expect supervision that a standard of high quality could be maintained.* ~ • .• .. . ’ ; , , The following officers were elected for the ensuing vear:—-President. Mr K. Met--, ritt; ' vice-president, Mr M. Fitzgerald (North Island), Mr G. Skene (South Island) ; auditor,■ Mr <M. Matheson; secretary, and treasurer, Mr F. Downs. ‘ At the close of the, meeting the Auckland members extended a hearty invitation to southern members , to- attend the ne4t conference and National Show, to be : held at Auckland. ' The conference will conclude with a picnic and banquet to-day.