TESTING OF SEED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 52, 24 November 1937, Page 4

TESTING OF SEED

Need for Uniformity In Technique TRADE DIFF1CULT1ES The need for uniformity in seed-test-ing technique so that results of analysis will be readily interchangeable intqrnationally, and interpreted everywhere on a common basis, was stressed by Mr Nelson' Foy, of the Seed-Testing Station, Palmerston- North, in an address to delegatea attending the annual conference of the New Zealand Grain, Seed and Produce Merchants ' Federation in Hastings last evening. He pointed out that practically all official stations are linked up now with an international association, with headquarters in Denmarlc, with a view to achieving this objective. "Until about ten years ago the seedtesting stations of each country were, as far as technique is concerned, a -law unto themselves, which Tesulted in much unnecessary confusion and dispute, ' ' said Mr Foy. "For instance, in the Australian States where seed-testing practice has lagged a little, the International rules are, with the exception of Tasmania, not fellowed in their entirety, nor are the requirements of State Acts based on them. "This means that New Zealand certificates of analysis are not directly cocnparable with those issued by the Australian State Departments, nor can they be used directly to indicate the chances of conformity with the Acts. It is a fact, however, that for the purposes of the Australian wholesale trade, New Zealand certificates covering importations from this country are utilised as the basis of purehase and sale. (i'The absolute necessity for uniformity is, however, being appreeiated, and in Tespohse mainly to trade pressure a move is being made towards a gradual reorgwiisation of the testing services so that there will be uniformity in technique, etc., among the different States, and, it is to be hoped, with overseas stations," continued Mr Foy. "When that is accomplished — and not before-— then it will be possible for consideration to be given to a drastic overhaul of the provisions of the Acts governihg tho sale of seed, amTin which we, as a seedexporting country, are interested. "New Zealand exporters know only too well the difficulties which have been encountered in the New Zealand— Australian trade, and, while agreeing with the aims and possible necessity of Australian seed legislatipn, would welcom3 a general simplification of it."