DUTY ON SUGAR

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 204, 29 July 1932, Page 3

DUTY ON SUGAR

HONEY PRODUCERS SEEK REBATE Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, duly 27. 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. Macmillan, in reply to representations jn this direction made to him by a deputation from the National Beekeepers’ Association. Mr E. W. Sage emphasised the vital necessity for beekeepers to secure some concession in their supplies of sugar. Some producers obtained from 12 to 15 tons of sugar in a season for the maintenance of their bees. Mr W. Watson said it was very necessary in the drought-stricken areas of the South Island to feed sugar to bees. The Government had helped the 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. The Minister said he sympathised with the request, hut he did not know what the Minister of Customs and Finance thought about it. Tire principle had already been established by remissions of petrol taxation and the principle was operating on butter box imports. It would be difficult to draw up regulations for a remission of duty on sugar. because it would he impossible to define wiiat was used for the production of honey and what was used in other ways. It would be accepted that the princplo was a sound one. Material brought into the country to aid production should l>e sold as cheaply as possible. Mr Macmillan added that Ire would do his best to secure the rebate sought. It would have to go before the" Government.