EXPORT OF HONEY

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 259, 28 July 1932, Page 10

EXPORT OF HONEY

Operations of Board Defended

MINISTER’S SYMPATHY

Strong support for the Honey Control Board was forthcoming at the annual conference of the National Beekeepers’ Association of New Zealand yesterday. Mr. A. R. Bates (Kaponga) moved the following resolution: —‘‘That this conference of beekeepers expresses its disapproval of* the unreasonable references that have been made from time to time, by interests opposed to the Honey Control Board, to the heavy fall in the quantity of honey exported during the past two years, it being definitely inferred that such falling-off has been due to alleged iniquities of the board, whereas, as all beekeepers are aware/ the position was due to the fall in honfey production in consequence of unfavourable seasons. For a few seasons following the inception of the board, said Mr. Bates, indifferent seasons prevailed, and the same charges were made against the board, it being claimed that beekeepers were withholding their honey from export on account of the blighting influences of the board. These critics, however, were rather confounded when export during 1928-29 reached record figures under the same’board. When favourable seasons again prevail it will no doubt be found, the board notwithstanding, that export will correspondingly increase. It had also been stated by the same critics that for the same causes beekeeping is on the decline, whereas the facts show that existing apiaries have increased by some 12,000 colonies. The motion was seconded by Mr. W. Nelson (Otorohanga) arid carried unanimously. The president, Mr. P. A. Hillary (Tuakau), reported that the deputation which had waited upon the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. C. E. Macmillan, had been given a most sympathetic reception. After hearing the views of the deputation, the Minister had promised that the functioning of the Honey Control Board would have his support. With regard to the association’s request that a rebate should be made on the duty on sugar for bees, the Minister of Agriculture had stated that he would support this so long as the bees with the sugar could produce something for export. Mr. Macmillan promised to forward the association’s recommendations on this subject to the Minister for Customs. It was decided to ask the Government to impose a duty of 25 per cent, on all imported beeswax and comb foundation. SUGAR FOR BEES Producers Seek Rebate DUTY ON IMPORTS Approval of the principle of granting a rebate of duty on imports of sugar purchased by honey producers solely for the purpose of feeding it to bees, was expressed by the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. C. E. Macirilllan, in reply to representations in this direction made to him yesterday by a deputation from the National Beekeepers’ Association.

Mr. E. W. Sage emphasised the vital necessity for beekeepers to secure some concession on their supplies of sugar. At times, he said, it was absolutely necessary to obtain supplies to feed to the bees in order to keep the stocks alive, and in some instances the expenditure on sugar purchases was considerable. Some producers obtained from 12 to 15 tons of sugar in a season for the maintenance of their bees, and it would be serious if supplies could not be obtained.

Mr. W. Watson said it was very necessary in drought-stricken areas of the South Island to feed sugar to bees. The Government had helped farmers by the free carriage of lime, by fertiliser subsidies, and by carrying stock and feed during times of drought. The beekeepers were in the same position, and they asked that the Government shopld allow a rebate of duty on all sugar bought for bees. Mr. A. Bates said production costs had not gone down, although producers were to-day receiving one-third less for their produce than formerly. The Minister said he sympathised with the request for a remission of duty, but he did not know what the Minister of Customs and Finance thought about it. The principle had already been established by remissions of petrol taxation, and the principle was operating on butter box imports, a rebate of duty being allowed wh'en the butter was exported. It would be difficult to draw up regulations for the remission of duty on sugar, because it would be impossible to define what was used for the production of honey and what was used in other ways. On the other hand, there was little difficulty oyer petrol tax rebates, as any engineer could tell whether an attempt was being made to obtain more petrol than a certain engine required. It would be accepted that the principle was it sound one. Material brought into the country to aid production should be sold as cheaply as possible. Mr. Macmillan added that he would do his best to secure the rebate sought, but it would have to go before the Governnient.