10 May 1985 1985 Graduation Address (Diplomas) - Professor Bruce Ross

Attached is a copy of the address given at the Lincoln College graduation ceremony today (Friday May 10) by the Principal, Professor Bruce Ross, when diplomas were presented.

Degrees were presented at a ceremony at noon. Diplomas were presented at a second ceremony at 3 p.m.

Mr Chairman, Diplomates, Ladies and Gentlemen.

This year's graduation ceremony is being held at a time of considerable stress and upheaval for the land based industries with which Lincoln College is closely associated. Weak and uncertain overseas markets for our traditional export commodities, threats of increased protectionism in some markets, uncertain attitudes towards a new round of international trade negotiations, an accelerating rate of inflation in New Zealand, together with major changes in economic policy and sharply reduced levels of direct government assistance to agriculture in this country, are all factors contributing to the high level of uncertainty felt within our agricultural and horticultural industries. Given this uncomfortable situation, it is a good time for us to ask ourselves whether Lincoln College is fulfilling its responsibilities to provide the nation with the educated people who can help to ensure that our land resource is used to best advantage.

In the first part of today's ceremony I spoke of the need for us to adapt to change, for change has been, and will be, a dominant feature of the world in which we live. There are moves afoot to begin negotiations to reduce the levels of protection given to agriculture in richer developed countries. A successful conclusion to such negotiations would be very helpful to New Zealand, but the important point to note, is that even if we did achieve major reductions in agricultural protection in Europe, the changes which have taken place in European agriculture in the last 20 years are so fundamental, that even in a situation of freer trade we could well find that we did not have the trading opportunities we had 25 years ago. A quarter of a century of massive assistance has produced on agricultural industry in Europe which in many areas is capital intensive, technologically advanced, and highly productive. The result is that even if the European farmers were now exposed to the rigours of the free world market, they might well remain self sufficient in the type of commodities that we have traditionally supplied to the United Kingdom. In other words, the fundamental situation has changed and there is no going back to where we were even in an environment of greater freedom of trade.

Thus what ever happens to trade negotiations it is imperative that New Zealand farmers should be capable of making the most efficient possible use of whatever resources are available to them. This implies a high level of technical skill among our farmers, and an ability to incorporate new technology as it becomes available. I believe that in the high level of training which has been given to those who will today be receiving the Diploma in Agriculture, Lincoln College is helping to ensure that our traditional export commodities will remain competitive in world markets.

The less than certain market outlook for our traditional products however, has given rise to a general desire to diversify the products which we are exporting, as well as the markets to which they go. It is therefore a matter of considerable satisfaction that New Zealand has been achieving such rapid rates of growth in the exports of a wide range of horticultural products. From Kiwi Fruit to dried apricots, apples to cut flowers, from strawberries to orchards or table grapes, horticultural products of all sorts are being exported in increasing volumes. It takes an extremely wide range of expertise to ensure that not only are these products produced economically to the required standards of quality, but also delivered to their final destination in the same way. The horticultural industry has been crying out for expertise, and we believe that the people going into the industry with the Lincoln College Diploma in Horticulture are helping to supply a large proportion of the expertise the industry requires.

In our changing world however, the production of physical agricultural and horticultural commodities is now being seen as only one of several possible ways in which our land can be used to our national advantage. Our land is being increasingly appreciated for its amenity uses, whether it is the simple beauty of the landscape or its use for active recreation. Our rapidly growing tourist industry, which is becoming an important earner of foreign exchange for New Zealand, is almost entirely dependent on the amenity use of our land resource. With our qualifications in Landscape Architecture and Parks and Recreation we believe that Lincoln College is making a major contribution in this important area, and we are currently examining the Parks and Recreation Diploma to see if it can be made to contribute even more directly to the welfare of the tourist industry.

Collectively the Lincoln College diplomas, together with all our other qualifications, obviously contribute to the efficient use of our land in a wide variety of different ways. Two years of living in Europe have made me particularly aware of the tourist industry, and in taking up my position as Principal I have therefore been particularly pleased to see the enthusiasm for and expansion in, our amenity related qualifications. One of my frustrations as Principal however, is my inability to provide these areas, which have rapidly growing numbers of students, with the additional members of teaching staff which are really needed. I sincerely hope that the review of the New Zealand University System, which is currently being undertaken by the Government, will reveal the need for additional resources, and that the Government will be able to provide them. Even where we nominally have the resources, in the sense that we have vacant staff posts to be filled, there are a number of areas in which we are being the greatest difficulty in recruiting people of the required calibre, whether from overseas or from the private sector in New Zealand.

One of our recent staff losses has been caused by the retirement of Professor R.H.M. Langer, who retired last month after 26 years of most productive and distinguished work at the College. As Professor of Plant Science, as Vice-Principal, and as Acting Principal for his last 15 months, he has made an immense contribution to the College which I would like to recognise publicly, and for which I would like to thank him. We wish Professor and Mrs Langer a long and happy retirement.

Finally a word to those who are receiving their Diplomas today. From what I have already said you will be aware that I believe you face a challenging world, but one in which you can make a major contribution to the Nation's welfare. Congratulations on your achievements to date, and all good wishes for your future careers.