N.Z. HONEY CROP

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 108, 8 May 1943, Page 6

N.Z. HONEY CROP

CONTROL IMPERATIVE STATEMENT BY MINISTER (P.A.) WELLINGTON, this day. "After giving full consideration to all the factors involved, the Government saw a necessity for providing means for procuring a sufficient proportion of the Dominion honey crop to meet emergency priority needs, and neither the actions nor the threats of certain beekeepers in Canterbury will deflect the Government from carrying out the provisions of the regulations issued to meet that position," said the Minister of Marketing, Mr. Barclay, to-day. "Whilst Canterbury beekeepers were meeting in Christchurch and talking of strikes, the South Auckland branch of the Beekeepers' Association met in Hamilton and after a full discussion passed a strong resolution completely dissociating their branch from the attitude adopted by the Canterbury beekeepers, thus reaffirming their determination to assist the country at this critical time," he added. "It is unfortunate that considerable space was given to the Canterbury meeting, but no reference whatever was made to the Waikato resolution, and it would seem that when beekeepers defy the Government this is of more value as news to the community than the fact that other branches of the Beekeepers' Association realise their responsibility. "All producers, manufacturers and the public desire a free market, but tney must accept a measure of control in the interests of the community generally. lam glad to note that by their most recent resolution the Canterbury beekeepers realise this fact, and are prepared to forward honey as directed by the Internal Marketing Division. Present prices are fixed under the Stabilisation policy, and the matter of reviewing them generally will have to be discussed, but the beekeeprs are entitled to present a case for consideration if they so desire."