HONEY CONTROL

Hokitika Guardian, 28 October 1932, Page 4

HONEY CONTROL

ARE GOVERNMENT CONTROL BOARDS A SUCCESS? (Contributed by John Murdoch). At the last general meeting of the West Coast Beekeepers Association held in Greymoutli only nine members were present, whereas prior to control coining into force the hall would lie well filled,, when business was important. The business was to discuss the new company bring formed for the marketing of honey for both the local and export market. It was admitted that the previous company was a failure and 1 that bee-k-c' -pers should prepare a. constructive policy for < the export marketing of honey. This matter is of vital interest not only to Westland but to the whole Dominion. One of the principal causes for the failure of the previous company was their autocratic attitude! when they were given “Limited Control” by adopting “Absolute Control” of the industry. This company went ns far as to block anyone from sending 141bs. of honey through the Rost Office to the Old Country, without first obtaining a permit from the Minister of Agriculture. Even' if you had an export license and a registered brand you had to apply for a (permit to ship overseas. ,v ; .

The reply you received was a; refusal and you were advised to ship through them. The same men who managed this company also dictated the policy of the Control Board with the result, that to-day the company .is in liquidation and several men of the old company are forming the new company. 531 tons of honey were exported in 1930, and 246 tons in 1931. Is there ■any need for a Control Board for such a small quantity? Any produce, exporter is capable of marketing honey on a 27 per cent, basis, so why worry. Why not sh>P to the firms who handle our butter and cheese in the principal ports of Britain? Why should the Board dictate to producers and say that all honey must go to- C. and C. Mortons, London?' We have bad seven years’ experience of control which has proved a failure. Let us have seven years df free marketing so that we can see which is best for Mie industry. The only control necessary is that all honey for export should go through the grade stoves. The following will show the number of cases of. honey shipped through the grade store in Greymoutli since the year 1925 as well as the marked decline in quantity owing to the poor returns obtained! from the company, year cases year cases 1925 ~. 1591 1926 ... 627 1927 ... 1143 1928 ...‘2009 1929 ... 592 1930 ... 593 1931 ... 426 1932 ... 268, • Abolish the “Honey Control Bofll‘d M and vote for “Free Marketing” this will 'o liable you to market your pro. ducei (by pnyiug 'a small commission) in the world’s best market. The turn* over of the company now in liquidation does not warrant the cost of administration as last year’s balance sheet shows that it cost the company £2,722 16s 5d in expenses for the year. H