HIGHER PRICE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 108, 8 May 1943, Page 4

HIGHER PRICE

SOUGHT FOR HONEY

TROUBLES OF PRODUCERS

Threats of beekeepers in the South to go on strike, and clamant demands in several quarters for a higher price for honey, have oaused some surprise to the public, as the impression was prevalent that the industry was on a sound basis and the producers were generally a happy family. The impression existing was created by periodical statements by Ministers and marketing officials, but the facts show that the commandeer under which apiarists must surrender 70 per cent of their crop to the State at a fixed price has operated harshly in the case of most of them.

At the ' last conference of beekeepers from both islands it was suggested to the Internal Marketing Division that it should be empowered to require all commercial honey producers to supply the division with 50 per cent of their crop for the duration of the war and six months afterwards. However, the division, without reference to the beekeepers, fixed its requirement at 70 per cent. The effect was to place an additional brake on the beekeepers' trade in packed .honey and accentuate the position regarding increased costs of production. Differences of opinion have since arisen in the industry over the question of direct action to secure a higher price or a reduction in costs, but all sections seem to be unanimous that relief must be afforded if output is to be maintained. Two Poor Seasons A sore point with the beeKeepers, which appears to have been disregarded by is that no allowance has been made for the poor crop owing to adverse weather over the last two seasons. Costs, it is pointed out, show no reduction in a bad season, although the turnover is greatly reduced. "Coupled with the poor season, the surrender of 70 per cent of honey at approximately s£d a lb hits small beekeepers 'very hard," was how one man summarised the position. Another producer in the Auckland area is holding back 6001b of honey in the hope that the Internal Marketing Division will see the justice of the industry's claims and advance the price. Other apiarists are also reported to be retaining a greater quota of their crop than 30 per cent, and are running the risk of prosecution for a breach of the regulations. Price is Below 7d a I*. \ It is quite wrong to suppose that beekeepers receive 7d a lb for their honey,*as suggested in Government announcements. The net figure varies in. most cases from 5d to.. 6d a lb after deducting cost of tins, cases and carting. Summaries of costs compiled by representative beekeepers show that Tnany men are unable to pay their way on existing prices. Moreover, honey is graded down in . many instances, not for condition or flavour, but for colour. A beekeeper with 19 hives or less is not required to supply the division even if his production happens to be 2cwt or 3cwt a hive in a good locality in a good season, but one owning 20 or more hives has to

supply 70 per cent to the division no matter how his yield is reduced in a poor season. Last year beekeepers were able .to sell their honey for 9d a lb to customers who brought their own tinsNo regulations, however wisely devised or expertly implemented, will bring stabilisation to the industry if the basic price is too low, in the opinion of leading officials of the National Beekeepers' Associa-. tion. A large crop would alleviate the position, while another poor one would indicate all the more clearly that some revision of the -basic price is essential. It is suggested that the payment of a bonus would meet the position without affecting the stabilisation plan.