THE HONEY INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21328, 1 November 1932, Page 13

THE HONEY INDUSTRY

Sir, — I would be extremely gratc-iul to Mr. Wallace Nelson if he can supply me with the name of a firm that is in a position to export honey to the United Kingdom without special permission from the Honey Control Board, and until he does so bis statement that I am incorrect in asserting that the board has made it compulsory to ship through Honey Producers Association cannot stand. Mr. Nelson admits that the current value of honey amounts to practically nil, but why ignore tho fact that the exporting of honey has become so unsatisfactory that everyone wishes to sell locally, with the result that there is a ruinous glut on the home market. Were there opportunities of offering our surplus in England, like other products, prices would lie determined by the London quotations, and the local prices would be freed from the intense competition caused by heavy stocks held by distressed beekeepers. I admit the policy that has been followed has done a good deal to advertise New Zealand abroad, but what is the advantage in this, when the whole value is consumed in so doing, as we have experienced in the past ? The honey crops of the past two years have been light ones. The good spring rains all over tho country constitute the first stage of a good season, which is quite a reasonable possibility, and I hope that exporting conditions are grer.tly improved, so that we could turn such a favour to a benefit and not prove an embarrassment. Rotorua. Henry Gkdioes.