The Honey Industry

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 258, 30 October 1937, Page 8

The Honey Industry

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF PROGRESS IN NEW ZEALAND Interesting facts about tho honey industry in the Dominion were related to the Palmerston North Lunch Club yesterday by Mr. H. F. Dodson, apiarist attached to the Department of Agriculture. Ho told a story of fluctuating fortunes. His audience was amused by his opening statement that the sting of the bee was the honey producers 7 greatest protection. Were bees as pretty and harm-less-as butterflies, then everybody would bo his own beekeeper and the commercial producer would soon be bankrupt. Mr. Dodson recalled that prior to 1839 there w-ere no bees in New Zealand. Tho first hive was introduced by Miss Burnby on March 13, 1839, at Hokianga. The first apiary operating on what might be called a commercial scale was situated at Gisborne in the 70’s. The bees were in boxes with no frames as are used to-day and tho honey had to bo cut out iu chunks with a knife. The method of extraction was to tread tho comb with the feet. Mr. Isaac Hopkins, the pioneer of beekeeping in New Zealand, established the first apiary on a real commercial basis but subsequently the industry suffered a big setback from foul-brood disease, wax moth, etc. In fact it was almost annihilated. The first real step forward was the passing of the Apiaries Act in 1905 and since then the industry has made big strides. In .1913 production had reached an excess of local requirements. The first transactions in tho w r ay of exporting honey were taken by Mr. Hopkins in 1888 but until 1916 there was no consistent trade overseas. The formation of the Honey Producers 7 Association was the next advance, this being brought about in 1913. The association made advanced payments against shipments sent overseas and sales on the local markets. However, in 1932 the association went into liquidation and it was a big blow to the industry. Mr. Dodson blamed disloyalty to the association on the part of shareholders as one of the main causes of its failure. Then the market dropped to p.n unpayable price and the producers formed another company to try and stabilise prices and provide better organisation. Steps were taken to grade the honey and this had proved a great success. Last year, however, had been a very poor one and for the first time in the history of New Zealand honey had been imported. New’ Zealand honey was marketed under a standard brand and was now occupying the premier position on the Continent, even displacing Californian honey. The stability of the trade depended on a consistent article and for that reason even tho finest of honey was not allowed out of the country on its own, lest it should displace the standard articlo from favour.

At tho present time there was a movement on foot to secure a reasonable measure of local control. Between 2000 and 3000 tons of honey were placed on the local markets each year. The industry was facing two possible extremo courses, i.e., complete lack of control as was existing at the moment, or State ownership of tho industry. Neither course was favoured by all beekeepers and a happy medium had yet to be found. A scheme which had received general approval was now being considered by the Marketing Board. Mr. Dodson spoke of the evils of price-cutting and declared that it had been selfish and ruthless competition that had played havoc with the Honey Producers 7 Association. The industry was asking for control and ho believed that it would get it. Honey cost to produce than jam, he explained, and was often sold for less. He added that there were 120,000 registered beekeepers in the Dominion.