HONEY SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23273, 16 February 1939, Page 16

HONEY SEASON

FAILURE OF CROP

(ADVERSE .WEATHER RESULT PROGRESS IN-MARKETING r ■ BOARD CHAIRMAN'S REVIEW [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Wednesday Owing to adverse weather the present season's honey crop would bo well below normal, said Mr. E. A. Earp, senior apiary instructor, Wellington, in an address at the annual field day of the South Auckland branch of the National Beekeepers' Association at the Show Grounds, Claudelands, to-day. Mr. W. Trownson presided. The Southland crop was a total failure, Mr. Earp said, while in the Wa.kato and elsewhere probably less than half the usual quantity would be produced. 'The output for Canterbury, .where the conditions had been good, would be equal to normal. The London Market Mr. A. H. Honevfield, of the Internal Marketing Department, said the producers had received an advance of 4Jd per lb. ,on honey produced last season, and an interim payment of -Jd, a total of 5Jd. A final payment would be made after the accounts were closed 011 March 31.. , In answer to questions, Mr. Honeyfield- said that the London market would absorb 38 tons a month. New Zealand honey -was commanding a ' higher price than the produce of any other country in London. There were sufficient reserves of honey in hand to keep the market comfortably supplied. Mr. Honevfield said he and the chairman of the Honey Control Board, My. [Wallace Nelson, would do what they could to obtain financial relief for those -who 1 needed it in consequence of the adyerse season. "Considerable progress has been made in the direction of applying a policy of orderly marketing of honey under a measure of State control," said Mr. Kelson, in reviewing developments oi the past year. Steps had been taken to establish a more equitable distribution of the cost of extending the sale of honey in New Zealand and overseas and the general development of the industry. Regulations embodying the proposals of the board had been applied by the Government, the main feature being the imposition of a levy of Jd per lb., by means of a stamp system, on most honey sold outside the Internal Marketing Division. Price Fixation The board was in agreement with the principle of price fixation, but care •was required in adopting a scheme. It ? was believed that one of the many advantages that would emerge from the existing regulations would be to bring *" about a stability of prices. No repre- • sentations had been made to the board £hy the department for the adoption ol - a price fixation policy. Mr. Nelson said that of the £6OOO by the Government to the board some years ago for tho purpose of securing for the industry the goodwill of "Imperial Bee" brand at the time of the collapse of the Honey Producers' Association, there was a sum of £5142 still owing' to the Treasury. In view of felt justified in asking the Treasury to reconsider the whole position. Certain recommendations had been made to the Government. He felt sure the Government would not overlook the unfortun- . ate plight of the great majority of pr 0.... .... ducers, many- of; whom were in a parJous position, owing to one of the worst, if not the worst, honey producing seasons on record. % , _ Speaking" appreciatively of the work of the Internal Marketing Department, Mr, Nelson said that but for the deSartment's activities, returns to proucers would have fallen to a disastrous level... '

BEEKEEPERS' PLIGHT HEAVIY LOSS IN SOUTHLAND APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT SUGAR SUPPLIES NEEDED [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] r f INVERCARGILL, Wednesday For 'the first time in the history of Southland, this year's honey crop has been a total failure because of the exceptionally wet and stormy weather in the province during December and January, as a result of which bees have been unable to collect honey to last them through the winter and spring;. It is reported that some of the bees aid already without honey, and will have to be feß on sugar throughout the winter and spring. Apiarists in the province are facing a heavy loss. . A meeting was held in lnvercargill to-day of the Southland branch of the JTational Beekeepers' Association of Isew Zealand, at which it was decided to petition the Government for financial assistance because of the failure of the crop and tho necessity of purchasing sugar to keep the bees alive until next season. In addition to assistance for buying sugar, sustenance allowance would be necessary for the beekeeper and his family, it was stated.

"I think it is quite likely that sugar will be granted in the nature of a loan," said the president, Mr. L. Irwin. Several years ago, when there was a bad winter, some of the farmers on high country were given free money by the Government then in power to restock their farms, he added. However, before assistance would be given to apiarists, the Government ' would have to be satisfied that real hardship!* would result from the failure of the crop.

"Tho whole procedure will take a long, time, and by the timo the Government gives assistance, all the bees will be dead," remarked one member. The possibility of a rebate on the sugar duty was discussed, and it was decided to urge that this be granted.