IMPORTS OF HONEY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 198, 22 July 1937, Page 6

IMPORTS OF HONEY

BEEKEEPERS’ COMMENTS. PURCHASE IN AUSTRALIA. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, July 20. Describing a statement by tlie Minister of Agriculture (Hon. W. Lee Martin) on the importing of honey from Australia, as “at variance with facts,” a bulletin issued by the Dominion Beekeepers’ Association none the less expresses approval of the Government’s action.

Last season was. it is stated, the worst on record. The Honey Control Board was therefore justified in authorising one of its members to go to Australia to buy 100 tons of honey with an option on a further quantity, as the exportable surplus was insufficient to meet the board’s overseas commitments.

“The purchase of this honey raised a torrent of adverse criticism of the board.” the bulletin states, “but your executive withheld all criticism of the board’s action pending full knowledge of the facts. It is now of opinion that the board was justified in doing something to meet an unprecedented situation. Tlie question whether the board had authority to purchase and reexport honey other than that produced in New Zealand is quite another matter, though the fact that the Minister of Agriculture has not seen fit to interfere is significant. “The Minister’s statement to the Prei:s that purchases were made in Australia by New Zealand Honey, Ltd., with the approval of the Honey Control Board is. however, at variance with the actual facts. A further quantity of COO cases was imported by an Auckland firm, wo understand, and handed over to New Zealand Honey. Ltd., for pricking and sale on the local market.

“It is not genetallv known that our agents in London have instituted a secondary pack to absorb more of our lower grade honey, and should this venture be starved of supplies a lirofitc.ble market mav Ik? lost to producers of this quality of honey.”