HONEY MARKETING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 246, 30 July 1936, Page 8

HONEY MARKETING.

EXPORT PROBLEMS SOLVED.

OTHER DIFFICULTIES FORESEEN* The address delivered at the conference of the National Beekeepers’ Association by Mr J. R. Rutland, chairman of the Export Honey Control Board, was a complete vindication of the board’s policy and management since its inauguration, a prominent Taranaki beekeeper told a “Daily News” reporter. The disclosure of bonus payments for 1933 and 1934 honey of Id and l J 2 d at pound, bringing the total payment for those years to 5 5-8 d and 6d respectively,, came as a pleasant surprise enough to export honey in those sea-sons. The payment of 6d a pound on 1935 honey, with a further final payment about November, established ai basis of payment unheard of since the war. This,, he considered, was especially pleasing when it was realised) that the present time American producers were receiving about 2d a pound for their finest white honey. The effect of the board’s announcement had already caused an all-round rise in New Zealand prices, and producers would no doubt be rushing any small surplus they might have into the grade stores for the last grading of the season this month. Even then the board’s payment for 1936 should be on a higher basis than present New Zealand market values.

The firmness of the internal market was chiefly the result of the last two poor seasons. In the event of an average season next year the Honey Board would ho able to sell more than 600 or 700 tons at a- remunerative price and' any surplus sold in the open market would necessarily reduce the average price. The board had solved the trouble as far as the export of honey was concerned. Though this had brought -cheer to producers the troubles of what after all was their main market, the New Zealand market, were still with them.

The position was that nearly) every beekeeper producing surplus honey was a packer and seller of honey. While the basis for price Avas cost in any manufactured article, this did not apply to the beekeepers’ product. In the case of a “sideliner” he could, Avithout being eliminated take Avhat lie could get, and the same applied to some Avholetime beekeepers Avho li\-ed on less and resorted to casual Avork. The continuance of these conditions must necessarily eventually eliminate the wholetime beekeepers altogether. The indiscriminate selling of honey of unknown quality resulted! in purchases by the public of unsuitable qualities and discourages its use. He told the reporter that he thought it was vital to everyone engaged in the commercial production of honey that security under the shelter of established conditions Avas essential on the Noav Zealand market.

The Government had informed the industry that there Avas little likelihood of a guaranteed price for at least some time. It Avas therefore necessary to find some modified form of control that could be bought into operation to deal with next season’s honey crop.