Ian Howat, 1984
I am pleased to report further progress in the work of our Association.
Most members are gratified to find an increasing Tree Crops content
in our Journal. We seek more articles on our crops for the Journal
but is up to you to provide articles or sources of articles. It
is good to see that many of our branches are so active. Live branches
are a live Association. I thank branches for having forwarded me
their newsletters during my term as President.
The setting up of the Crop Action Groups has been very successful.
We are now at last beginning to achieve something with a group of
members concentrating on one crop. Industry prospects for these
crops is now being realized. On behalf of our Association I
congratulate and thank those members who have put so much time and
effort into Crop Action Groups.
It is with sincere regret that we have accepted the resignation of
Pam Howat as our National Treasurer. Pam has done a first class
job in her term as National Treasurer and we have been very grateful
for her comprehensive reports to Management Committee.
Once again, I must pay tribute to the work done by Tom Dinning our
National Secretary. I think few members can realize the amount
of correspondence that Tom has to handle. I believe the time is
rapidly approaching when N.Z.T.C.A. should be looking at a professional
secretariat. There is simply now too much work for our secretarial
and financial responsibilities to be handled by volunteer members
in their own time. Perhaps we should think of merging our secretariat
with another kindred organisation e.g. N.Z. Farm Forestry Association.
I think that some of the Crop Action Groups will develop into Crop
Grower Organisation. Perhaps a professional secretariat could service
both N.Z.T.C.A and our crop grower organisations?
I am distressed with the lack of activity on the part of nearly
all branches with regard to tree recording. Tree recording might
not seem to be very important to you, but it is important to crop
action groups and crop researchers. The best Hazels, Walnuts and
Chestnuts in New Zealand are still all selections from N.Z.T.C.A.
recorded trees. If you want the best trees to plant, for home or
commercial use, then you should be involved in tree recording.
I wish to express thanks for the work undertaken over the past year
by our two Vice-Presidents. Having half of New Zealand each, is
an awful lot of ground to cover, but so necessary to maintain
communication with branches and members.
I trust that N.Z.T.C.A. will continue it's association with the Australasian Conference on Tree and Nut Crops. I was privileged to represent our Association at the first ACOTANC Conference in Perth in 1982, and at the second one in Melbourne last year. N.Z.T.C.A. is hosting the third ACOTANC conference in Auckland next year~. I urge your support. While some people may consider that New Zealand is ahead on Tree Crops research, Australia does have a long experience with commercial growing of nut crops and is probably more concerned than we are with the potential of Fodder Trees. I would like participation by Pacific Island countries in future ACOTANC Conferences.
I thank members of Management Committee for their great support over the past two years, and thank branches for their support and encouragement.
Ian Howat
PRESIDENT