NURSERYMEN'S CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 109, 25 January 1918, Page 10

NURSERYMEN'S CONFERENCE

AFFORESTATION OP WASTE - " LANDS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Chrlstchurch, January 24. The Nurserymen's Association Conference resumed to-day. A resolution was carried'affirming the principle of the Government supplying forest trees to private.-individuals for afforestation of waste lands. A discussion took place on the motion to take stops to secure tho retention of enough effi-cient-men to maintain the industry during tho war. The matter was eventually referred to the executive. Mr. T. AV. Kirk, Director of the Government Horticultural Division, gave an address regarding root knot, which ho described as a serious menace to many kinds of fruit treos. Mr. Kirk and the officers of the Department were thanked for their efforts on behalf of tho fruit-growing industry. Conference reaffirmed the principle of tho formation of a pomological branch, and the protection of raisers of new varieties. Tho afternoon was devoted to a visit to the Botanical Gardens and Museum. It was decided that conference should meet next year in Wellington. The question of afforestation was gone iiito and a motion carried: "That national forestry matters lie referred to tho executive, with a request that after full investigation such representations ;is aro deemed necessary ill the best interests of afforestation ho made to the Government."

. It was suggested that control of such matters should bo taken from the Lands Department, which Department hud it,« halcla full, and vested in a new

division of the Department of Agriculture.

It was decided "That the executive bo instructed to consider tho question of Government advances to all kinds of agricultural (including horticultural) enterprises, such as lime works, wood and wool factories, and box factories, and that tho executive be empowered to make- such representations as are necessary in the proper quarter." Tho conference closed with the singing of "God Save tho King."