SpeechGPullar

As the oldest Nuffield Scholar present I have been asked to speak to acknowledge that this is our twentieth conference and to welcome our most recent scholars, Andrew Watters, Tom Mason and John Wright.

Welcome, to the Nuffield Family.

It is refreshing and uplifting to know that we are able to have a constant inflow of talented and skilled younger scholars joining our ranks.

As an “oldie” with 44 years Nuffield involvement I am able to assure you that the depth and breadth of your scholarship is only just beginning.

I extend to you a warm and enthusiastic welcome.

Unfortunately for you, the initiation price to be paid was to give to us an account of your overseas study.

I do assure you however that we listened with sensitive understanding and that we really look forward to and appreciate your individual presentations.

In 1961 the then secretary of Southland Federated Farmers suggested I filled in the necessary paper work to apply for a Nuffield Scholarship.

I knew very little about the implication of such an action, but decided to cross that bridge should I be selected.

The late John Daniell and I were selected and in 1962 experienced our study tour.

Many vivid memories remain. The eight scholars originated from Canada, Australia, Northern and Southern Rhodesia and N.Z.

Our orientation tour of England Scotland and Wales included 17 Banquets in 19 nights. The Rhodesian Scholar announced that he believed his blood was rapidly turning to alcohol!

I recall John and I as we endeavoured to master driving the milk marketing board car through the network of London roads discussing how the “agricultural revolution” had now become the “mechanical technological revolution.”

Straight from my Southland sheep and grain farm I soon found l was somewhat naive.

Invited to tea near Oxford, at a large private palace like mansion surrounded by park and gardens, the hostess presiding beside two beautifully polished silver tea services asked me “Which would you prefer Mr Pullar, Indian or China?”

Confused and straight from the tussocks and swedes I asked in my rather broad southland brogue “What is the difference?”

My gracious host saved me by quickly responding” with his perfect English voice and manners “To tell you the truth Mr. Pullar I have always wondered that myself!”

I found the scholarship enjoyable, demanding and challenging.

The challenge was mainly because of my lack of higher education.

I had left high school at the end of my fourth form year, December 1941, to go home to drive a six- horse team to annually plough, cultivate and sow 230 acres of swedes, oats and new grass.

My Father employed one farm worker. One after the other three of them had been called up for war service. Thus the war spelt the end of my formal education.

I found the writing of my report a difficult task. It took me nine long months of very late nights.

Sir Frank Engledow an Agriculture Lecturer of considerable standing as well as a Nuffield Director and Advisor, wrote in his acceptance letter “Late but excellent!”

I knew the late was appropriate!

Sir Frank Engledow was an impressive lecturer and I still remember some of what he expressed to us at Nuffield Lodge.

“Give a man a fish for a day and it will feed him for a day. Give him a fishing rod and it will feed him for the rest of his life."

He predicted, “ Instead of recycling pasture and protein though our dairy cows to produce milk the day will come when milk and dairy products will be manufactured from oil trees and soya type plants”.

It is now four and a half decades since John and I had this life changing experience.

I understand it is now 40 years since the first N.Z. Nuffield Agricultural Scholars Reunion, as it was then called, was held.

Tonight we can congratulate the hard working local organising committee that we are able to celebrate our twentieth conference here in Wanganui.

Over the years there have been many changes in the Nuffield organisation which was initially fully directed and financed from the Nuffield Foundation in London.

We have as a group along with the generous assistance of our sponsors achieved limited self sufficiency and independence.

Originally it was very much male dominated although Nuffield wives have always been an integral part of the organisation’s functions and the scholarship itself.

As widows, Nuffield wives are welcomed and encouraged to continue their association.

I am pleased that both Christine Daniell and Jenny Pinney have found themselves able to fully participate in our activities.

Speech: Gordon Pullar May 2006 Nuffield Conference
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