NURSERYMEN CONFER.

Thames Star, Volume LXII, Issue 17318, 5 January 1928, Page 5

NURSERYMEN CONFER.

HON. HAWKEN’S ADDRESS.

TEST PASSION FRUIT SHIPMENT.

/ APPLE AND PEAR EXPORTS.

’(By Telegraph.—Press Association). WELLINGTON, Jan. 5. The twenty-first annual conference . <of the New Zealand Association of Nurserymen was commenced in Wet Rington to-day, Mr. T. Waugh presiding. The Minister of Agriculture and Hon. O. J. Hawken, Commissioner of State Forests, welcomed the dele‘SHre Minister said there were 637 registered nurseries, compared with 592 last year. The acreage of the commercial orchards had considerably increased, and. 448,000 cases of apples had been exported to Britain last year, •2000 cases of pears and 67,000 cases of apples to South America, and 5300 cases to Honolulu. The Minister referred with sntislacLion to the fact that there had been no call on the Government last season for the fruit guarantee, which had been.extended from 10/- to 11/- a case. The percentage of expense, however, -was very large, amounting to neaily 10/- a box or! the apples sent Home. The Government; had decided to sepd a shipment of 20 cases of passion fruit .to the Home market to test the possibilities. He felt sure the Act recently passed, giving the Institute of Horticulture power to grant diplomas in horticulture would prove beneficial. The president, in his address, refer-, red to the great benefit the Summer Time Act had proved to the liorticulrfcurists. /‘Undoubtedly Mr. Sidey’s measure has been a good help and we owe him a deep debt of gratitude, he said. “The extra hour of daylight means a wonderful aid to, gardening.” Tire Institute of Horticulture Act passed last year inaugurated a new era,, and the first batch of diplomas awarded on experience' had now been granted, 21 ►out of 23 applicants having been suc- • cessful. He emphasised the need of •specialising, of not over-producing and of striving for quality. Mr Wfiugh was re-elected president, ' "Mr D. J. Burrows, Gore, vice-president , for the . South Island, and Mr V. C. Y'Davies. New Plymouth, vice-president !-V) for the North Island. Remits were adopted urging the necessity for registration of all growers of plants for sale; 'the registration and ' -inspection of all nurseries wher& plants -are grown for sale, and the fixing by The railway authorities of the same rates on fruit and vegetables, whether -for private use or public sale. The 1929 conference will be held in ‘Christchurch. ,