NEW ZEALAND HONEY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3104, 7 June 1917, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND HONEY

OUJI PRODUCT IN ENGLAND. In giving- his observations on the honey situation at Home as far as the New Zealand product was concerned, Mr. Wright (late Government Supervisor of Dairy Produce at Home) told the beekeepers at yesterday's conference that as-far as he could judge as an outsider there was nothing to be gained from altering the present system of marking. Now that there was an additional bond of sympathy between the Old Country and the Dominions, in addition to the fact of the good quality article New Zealand was giving, he believed that they would be given preference. Tloney came from all paTts of the world to London, including some foreign countries, so that the preference would be a valued consideration.

A delegate asked if Mr. Wright had noticed any honey at Home other than that handled by the Bristol, and .Dominions Company. Ho said that all the honey he. had seen had been shipped Homo through the company mentioned. It might be thought by some that he had some interest in the company, but he could assure the delegates that such was not the case. Still it was the first company to handle New Zealand honey, and, personally, if he were keeping bees lie would do as the delegates were doing—ship it through tho Bristol and Dominions' Company.

Mr. Wright, on being asked if New Zealand honey was liquid or granulated when purchased in England, said it was always granulated. Ho had noticed a slight white rim round tho top of tho honey, but nothing so defined as a sample that was submitted to him in tho room. He described the_ manner in which the bulk honey was treated on reaching Home. The tins were opened, the blocks were dropped into 50 or 60-gallon eopners, and water-heated until it was in a liquid state, when it was run off through a tap into the receptacles in wliich it was retailed to the public. He noticed that the running-off commenced as soon as the honey was liquid enouch to run. Mr. .lames Allen (Southland) said that a proposal was coming before the conference advocating the experiment, of sending honey in block to England in. boxes similar'to butter boxes (instead of COIb. tins), in cool chambers. Mr. Wright wished (o know whether the boxes were to be lined with parchment paper or waxed. llr. Allen said it was only proposed to wax the joints of the boxes. Mr. Wright replied that he thought it would be rather harsh treatment for the honey, and thought that either the whole of the interior of the box should be, waxed or if, should be lined with parchment paper. Still if it proved to be cheaper to carry the honey that way, instead of in tho tins, it was well worth the experiment. Asked about the quality of New Zealand honey at Home, Mr. Wright said it was regarded as excellent; still beekeepers must know that their produce travelled a long way. and that must always interfere with its superfine quality. Incidentally he said that British shopkeepers were only too glad to give the fullest display of show cards of any goods thev were soiling.