THE HONEY INDUSTRY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 95, 22 March 1939, Page 14

THE HONEY INDUSTRY

BEEKEEPERS IN CONFERENCE. FUTURE OF INDUSTRY. The first convention organised by the 'Manawatu branch of the National Beekeepers’ Association was informally opened at .Alass-y College last evening when, following brief addresses by representatives of the horticultural division of tho Department of Agriculture, tile delegates were given the opportunity to meet one another and discuss their common problems before tho main business session opened to-day. Air I'. J. Lewin (president of the branch) occupied the chair and extended a welcome to all present. He thanked Professor Peren and the Massey College Council for allowing the convention to be held at the college, and lie felt sure that much good would be derived from the gathering which was the first of its kind to he held in Palmerston North. The Manawatu branch, he added, had become a live body. Many well attended meetings had been held during the year, while there had been five field days and a number of instructional classes, and the interest shown indicated that those in the industry realised tho vital necessity lor co-operation and for organisation. The speaker thanked the Marketing Department and the Department of Agriculture for tho est shown in the honey industry. I heie was a growing belief that by working together much could bo achieved and that an isolation policy was wrong. NEED FOR COOPERATION.

Air A. Goodwin. Assistant-Director of Horticulture, expressed pleasure atbeing present and endorsed the remarks of the chairman m regard to the need for co-operation, lie apologised for the absence ot the director (Air VV. K. Dallas) who had recently undergone an operation. The branch movement among the beekeepers was to be commended, and he urged mem' hers to keep togethr. In that way the Government had an official body to look to for suggestions and advice as to how the. industry could be improved. The speaker outlined what had been done by the Government to assist the industry. The endeavour was to pav a price that would S IVO a reasonable standard of living to the producer. It had been found in the past that to work ns individuals and to sell as individuals was unsatisfactory. Bv co-operation much was being achieved to-dav. Air E. A. Enrp. senior apiary instructor. said the gathering in Palmerston North was of special interest, to him in that, he had delivered his first address as senior instructor m this oitv in 1924, and thin convention would he' the last lie would attend prior to his retirement. He added that he iar seen the industry grow from a few box hives to what it was to-day, and t ' importance of the industry was realised bv the Government. The season, in many parts, had been unfavourable, but in'others it had been quite successful. A good deal had been said and written that, the season was a 1 allure; this was not correct. Very tew teekeepers wore seeking assistance. J hei« were in the Dominion to-day -lb/2 apiaries with 112.350 columns, while in 1912 there were as many as oO.tJUU apiaries and 90.000 columns It indicated that the small keeper had gone out and that the industry had developed on sound eominercual lines. ” speaker defended the policy of tho Government in controlling the saleo’ province, and evidence that the beekeepers were satisfied was shown in the fact that many of them were increasing their operations. The marketim, side was most important. It was wellknown that a keeper required od a lb in the tank to show a. reasonable return ; vet in Southland keepers were being offered, in some cases only oRL Ho could have bought the honev lumsclf at that price and turned it ovoi at fid. That sort of thing was no good to the keeper who had to get the full reward for his labour. Mr Karp eon eluded by saying that 1940 would open up a new era for the industry. Air H F. Dodson (local apiary instructor) also addressed the meeting. He outlined the activities of the Manawatu branch and said that much of educational value had been gamed bv members. By co-operation. he said, great things were being achieved. Alessrs R. Garrett (president of the Wanganui branch) and A. Low (president of the Hastings branch) also briefly spoko, expressing thanks for the welcome. On the motion of Mr E. A. Field (Foxton) and Air G. S. Kirker (Taranaki), general secretary of the National Beekeepers’ Association. a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the speakers.