HONEY CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 143, 14 March 1938, Page 8

HONEY CONTROL

Reported Resignation Of Entire Board STATE ACTIVITY IN MARKETING Dominion Special Service. Auckland, March 13. .Statements that all members of the Honey Control Board have sent in their resignations to the Government as a result of tState activity in the marketing of honey are being circulated in Auckland. Official confirmation of this, however, cannot be obtained, and the chairman of the board, Mr. J. R. Butland, would neither confirm nor deny the report to-day. It is stated that the Government’s recent action in assuming control of honey marketing through the Internal Marketing Department has resulted in indignation among producers, and that members of the board are of opinion that such a step cannot do anything to benefit the industry. It is also stated that the board’s rights under the Honey Control Act of 1924 have been infringed. It is also reported that three members of the board, Mr. Butland, Mr. P. A. Hillary, Auckland, and Mr. W. Watson, Geraldine, have sent in their resignations, but that there have not yet been accepted. The Government’s scheme to process, pack and distribute honey was put into effect last month and, in Auckland, the Internal Marketing Department’s honey ■’ section was set up in premises in Stanley Street, taken over from New Zealand Honey, Limited. The Minister of Marketing, Hon. W. Nash, stated at the time that the present system of distribution would not be interfered with, but objections against State-controlled marketing methods were lodged by producers, and it is stated that the scheme has seriously affected the board’s policy. Under this policy, it is said, the board which took over the honey export industry when it was in a poor position, has so built up the industry that New Zealand honey is now recognised as the best in the world and realises a premium over all other honey. It is stated that the Government’s scheme will considerably interfere with the progress of the industry as achieved by the operations of the board.

When the above telegram from Auckland was submitted to the Minister of Marketing, Hon. W. Nash, lie said he did not propose to make any comment on the matter.