HORTICULTURAL TRADES’ ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3899, 4 December 1928, Page 21

HORTICULTURAL TRADES’ ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Otago Council of the Horticultural Trades’ Association was held in Broyvn and Son’s Tea Rooms, George street, on Saturday evening, Mr J. Rennie being in the chair. After extending a welcome to Mr G. A. Green, the Dominion secretary and organiser, Mr Rennie said there had not been much business transacted during the year. The yvages award had run out in the districts of Canterbury, Otago, and Southland, and a new agreement had been concluded by conciliation. Mr H. A. Christie had been the council’s representative at the proceedings, which had been held in Christchurch. ■ There were a number of matters which would require attention in the coming year, and these would be left in the hands of the new officers.

One new member was elected, and one resignation was recorded. The secretary and treasurer (Mr T. Y. Turner) stated that there was a substantial credit balance.

A letter was received from the Dominion president (Mr T. Waugh), who stated that the association occupied a stronger position than ever before, and was in a position to give information and assistance to the councils or to individual members. He looked with confidence to the future of the horticultural trades in all branches. The association had been the means of lifting the profession and giving it a satisfactory status, and it yvas lor the trades to live up to it.—The letter yvas received.

Mr Green briefly explained the objectives of the institute. He stated that it covered much the same ground as the Royal Horticultural Society’ of England, which recognised the New Zealand body as the paramount authority on horticulture in the Dominion. At the present time the institute was largely concentrating on education in horticulture, for the amateur and for the professional. The Neyv Zealand Institute of Horticulture Act gave the institute a standing, backed up by the great horticultural names yvhich yvere associated with it. The institute was empowered to conduct examinations and grant certificates and diplomas in horticulture, and had already’ placed horticulture on the map and given those engaged in it the opportunity’ of taking a course and obtaining diplomas which would be recognised in any part of the world. This yvas only one small part of the work that the institute had on hand, but it was the one that must appeal to the meeting as a body of horticultural traders. Already the Education Department had taken the scheme under its wing and was providing for the theoretical training of all students who desired to prepare for the diploma examinations. The chairman said he had long been connected with education, and it seemed to be a day’ of training for certificates, diplomas, and degrees. It appeared to him that the idea yvas a good one, and worthy of support. It was resolved to affiliate with the institute as from the institute’s neyv .year.

Mr Green then gave information regarding the association’s annual conference, yvhich will open in Christchurch on January’ 8. On January 9 the conference yvill assemble at 9.30 a.m. in the Chamber of Commerce, when an official we'oome will be tendered by the Mayor, and a Minister of the Croyvn yvill perform the official opening. On the evening of January 10 an open session, to yvhich the public will be invited, will be held in Jellicoe Hall. The folloyving office-bearers yvere elected:—Otago District Council chairman, Mr J. Rennie (re-elected); vice-chairman. Mr D. F. L. Campbell; secretary and treasurer, Mr T. Y. Turner. The various committees yvere reappointed with power to add. The nomination of Mr V. C. Davies, of New Plymouth, for Dominion president, was unanimously supported. Mr C. J. Burroyvs, of Gore, was nominated for the office of South Island vice-presi-dent, subject to his consent. NEW ZEALAND TOMATO GROWERS. At the conclusion of the meeting of the Horticultural Trades Association a meeting of those interested in the formation of a tomato growers’ association yvas held.

Mr Green said there yvere now five tomato growers’ associations in the Dominion, united membership of 500 groyvers, and a set of rules had been drawn up and approved by each of the associations for the formation of a council representing all the associations. The consumers, the retailers, and the brokers as well as the producers would be benefited by the formation of a local association linked to the proposed council. Mr Green stated that the first conference would be held on January 24 in the fruitgroyvers’ board room, Wellington, when the rules yvould be adopted, and definite action taken to elect the Dominion Executive. He urged the Otago growers to call meetings and form an association and link up with the Dominion movement. He stated that the money invested in the tomato industry was very large and that it was estimated that the crop was worth about £500,000 per year. Mr Green briefly outlined the state of the tomato industry in Australia, and the need for pest and disease control. He advocated soil sterilisation as most necessary wherever the house culture is adopted.