DOMINION HONEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 194, 17 August 1932, Page 9

DOMINION HONEY.

EXPORT POSSIBILITIES. REPLY TO CRITICISM. " IMPUDENT INTERFERENCE." Recent criticism of the present methods of marketing New Zealand honey was replied to this morning by Mr. J. Rentoul, chairman of the Honey Export Control Board, and Mr. P. A. Hillary, president of the National Beekeepers' Association of New Zealand. "Owing to my absence from Auckland, I have not had an earlier opportunity of correcting the statements made by an Auckland merchant as published in the 'Star' on July 30," said Mr. Rentoul. "It is unfortunate that the 'Star's' informant had not studied the recent report of an investigation by the statistics and intelligence branch of the Empire Marketing Board into the marketing of honey before making his statement. This report shows the importe into the United Kingdom from various countries up till 1931, and shows very plainly that his statement 'that under free marketing conditions other countries are making substantial progress' and that 'the iinportaLions of honey from other sources of Empire origin have increased enormously during recent years' are quite wrong. He is singularly illinformed as to the operations of the Honey Export Board, which he mixes up with the operations of the Honey Producers' Association. The hoard does not insist on the trade buying only in retail packages, neither is packed New Zealand honey sold only under one brand. The report referred to mentions 17 different brands of New Zealand honey sold by packers. "The overhead expenditure of the board to which he refers as being out of all proportion to turnover hae amounted to only £100 for honorarium and about £25 for office expenses per annum. A Uniform Product. "He states that 'under free marketing producers would have open competition.' They have this in New Zealand, with results they are not at all pleased with. His statement that there is a market for 3000 tons of New Zealand honey in the United Kingdom at 4d to 4id to the producers is very extraordinary. The total imports into the United Kingdom average 3500 tons, and the prices run as low as 27/ per cwt. "New Zealand gets its price by offering a uniform product of good quality, and this can only be done at present by controlling distribution. In an open market our honey would be offered in all its varied qualities, and there would be nothing to distinguish it from other honeys similarly offered. Our principal competitors are California, Canada and British West Indies. California July prices to producers were 2d to 2|d per lb, and Canadian 3d pair 1b... ..Canada's biggest export to the United Kingdom was in 1930, with : 11,800cwt, New Zealand in 1929 with 21,G46cwt, ; Reference to the Department of Agriculture's figures will show that production capacity has made a large increase since the board has been in existence. Average exports during the years of the hoard's existence, 1925 to 1931, have increased 26 per cent over the average exports of the five preceding years." "United Indignation." Mr. Hillary said that in fully endorsing Mr. Rentoul's statement of- the actual facts, he must voice, on behalf of the honey producers of the Dominion, a united and indignant protest at unwarranted and impudent attempts by persons outside the industry to interfere with its domestic affaire and to dictate the lines upon which producers should market their honey. • "At the annual conference in Wellington last month," added Mr. Hillary, "a resolution to this effect was carried unanimously, and at Hamilton yesterday a resolution even more strongly worded was carried by a meeting of 32 producers, who represented a record total of honey production at any meeting ever held in the Dominion. During conference a deputation waited on the Minister of Agriculture, and a report by his officers fully supported the deputation's statements, and the claims made for the outstanding success of the overseas marketing operations of the Honey Board. The Minister promised us his support as a result."