"WILL GO TO GAOL"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 107, 7 May 1943, Page 4

"WILL GO TO GAOL"

BEEKEEPERS' THREAT REFUSAL TO SUPPLY HONEY (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, this day. "We are prepared to go to gaol in the same way as the coal miners," declared Mr. W. B. Bray at the beekeepers' convention called by the Canterbury Beekeepers' Association. This statement was made when the national president of the Beekeepers' Association, Mr. E. A. Field, criticised Canterbury beekeepers for their refusal to supply honey to the Internal Marketing Division. Mr. Field said it was wrong for bee-, keepers to go on strike. The proper procedure was for the producers to send their produce to the division, and negotiate about the price later Mr. Bray: -We believe we won t get anywhere-without fighting. We don't trust the Government to give us a fair deal after we have given them the produce. Mr. Field: Your action is going to bring prosecution. Mr. Bray: We are prepared to fight a prosecution and go to gaol if necessary. Mr Field: That will be a fatal action at this time, when any Government has difficulty in controlling S When Mr. Bray suggested that the Canterbury Association might endeavour to form a South Island organisation of beekeepers, Mr. Field said he would accept the challenge and canvass the South Island for suppoit for a national organisation. Eventually, after a long discussion, the following resolution was carried with one dissentient: "Owing to the urgency with which honey is required for essential services, this meeting of i roducers is willing to co-operate with me Government to supply their honey, provided a guarantee is given that the whole price situation and graae ' schedule is reviewed in the light of proper representation from the honey industry."