MARKETING HONEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20991, 30 September 1931, Page 10

MARKETING HONEY.

local board proposal. OPPOSITION RESENTED. [FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON. Tuesday. The action of the Associated Chambers of Commerce in opposing tbe proposal to establish a local marketing board for honey was strongly criticised at a meeting of the South Auckland branch of the National Beekeepers' Association at Hamilton to-day. The suggested scheme is incorporated in a bill, which probably will not be considered in the present session of Parliament. Its objects are to unite honey producers and to bring about stabilisation in the industry. Th« vice-president, Mr. W. Pselson, who presided, said the majority of the producers undoubtedly were in favour of the proposal and the principal opposition came from vested interests concerned with the handling of honey, but not with the production of it. Mr. E. W. Sage expressed resentment at the attitude adopted by the chambers, lie said they had asserted that thev were protecting beekeepers from themselves, which was a ridiculous statement to make, as the chambers had opposed export control. At least 90 per cent, of the beekeepers favoured a local marketing board for improving the state of the industry. The opinion that the public was not receiving the advantages it should considering the low prices received by the producer was expressed by Mr. Nelson, who contended that the suggestion of exploitation by beekeepers should be vigorously refuted. The following resolution was passed unanimously:—That this branch oi the National Beekeepers' Association, whose members produce nearly half the total quantity of honey for sals in New Zealand, resent the action of the Associated Chambers of Commerce in asserting that they are fostering the interests of beekeepers by opposing the proposed Local Marketing" Act. This association feels that if the chambers are sincere in their wish to protect producers they should withdraw opposition to the measure, which is of vital importance to the progress of the honey industry.