MARKETING OF HONEY

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23943, 10 May 1943, Page 6

MARKETING OF HONEY

REGULATIONS NOT TO BE DEFEATED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, May b “After giving full consideration to all the factors involved, the Government saw the necessity for providing the means of 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 defeat the Government from carrying out the provisions of the regulations issued to meet that position,” said the Minister of Marketing (the Hon. J. G. Barclay) to-day. 1 . .."Whilst .the Canterbury beekeepers were meeting in Christchurch and talking of strikes, the South Auckland b -anch r * this 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. “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 the 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.” said the Minister. “All producers, manufacturers, and the public desire a free market, but they must accept a measure of control in the interests of the community generally. I am glad to note that, ly their most recent resolution, the Canterbury beekeepers realise this fact and are prepared to forward their honey as directed by the Internal Marketing Division. The present prices are fixed under the stabilisation policy, and the matter of reviewing them generally vill have to be discussed, but the beekeepers are entitled to present a case for consideration if they so desire.” A Press Association message from Hamilton states that the resolution passed by the South Auckland branch was that the branch dissociate itself from the direct action of the Canterbury branch in refusing to comply with the Honey Emergency Regulations This was the amendment of an earlier motion, which included words to the effect that the branch-consid-ered the Canterbury action opposed to and detrimental tc beekeepers, and an example of an attempt to benefit a small number at the expense of many. It was also resolved that the meeting request the national executive to obtain immediately the necessary information as to average costs in the honey industry. “TOO INDEFINITE” REPLY T(TmINISTER’S STATEMENT "Too indefinite to be acceptable,” was the comment of Mr W. B. Bray, president of the North Canterbury branch of the National Beekeepers’ Association last evening, in reply to Mr Barclay’s statement. "The beekeepers have decided to open the door for negotiating with the Government as to prices, said Mr Bray, ‘‘allowing deliveries to be made in the meantime. But the Minister’s reply is too indefinite to be acceptable to our members as a guarantee that the whole price situation and grade schedules will be reviewed. Mr Bray added that the recent convention had no intention of reversing the decision of the Canterbury producers but decided to supply honey to the Internal Marketing Division conditionally upon receiving a guarantee from the Minister that the whole price situation and the grade schedules would be reviewed.