SMALL SEEDS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 23029, 21 October 1944, Page 4

SMALL SEEDS

Market Is Practically

Unlimited

Reporting on the conference of representatives from the Otago, North, South and Mid-Canterbury Executives of the Farmers’ Union to discuss questions relating to small seeds, markets and prices, held at Timaru on September 19, Mr A. J. Davey informed the meeting of the South Canterbury Executive yesterday that the conference had been well worth while. Various matters in which the growers were keenly interested had been explained by Mr R. B. Tennent, Assistant Director of Agriculture. Mr Tennent had said that the Government was responsible for seed certification and the object of the Department of Agriculture was to give New Zealand itself good pastures, continued Mr Davey. Mr Tennent had pointed out that the possibilities in New Zealand for a market for certified seed were unlimited, and emphasised the point that the main market for New Zealand certified seed was, in New Zealand itself. He contended that propaganda should first be directed to the utilisation of certified seeds in New Zealand. Mr Tennent had stated that there were up to 750,000 acres to be regrassed after the war, and that until New Zealand was satisfied there was not much need to worry about an export market for certified seed. According to Mr Tennent, said Mr Davey, in Great Britain the research stations viewed New Zealand seeds critically. The New Zealand Department of Agriculture had sent six agricultural instructors to Great Britain and the reports received from them Indicated that New Zealand certified seeds performed very well and were now making a very good reputation in Great Britain. He emphasised the point that personal contacts were needed and stated that an additional officer would be sent to Britain to promote the growing of New Zealand seeds in Great Britain. Summarising the position, Mr Tennent said that New Zealand could produce good seeds; a bigger expansion of certified seed was required; there was a sufficient demand in New Zealand for certified seed; very good prices were obtained in the Dominion even when there was little export; the export market should be encouraged and the industry should have no fear that there would not be a market for certified seeds. Mr Tennent emphasised that if New Zealand had exported more than the quantities requested by Great Britain, there would have been little seed left for the Dominion. Export had to be blocked until New Zealand requirements had been fulfilled.