THE APIARY INDUSTRY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9997, 14 June 1918, Page 7

THE APIARY INDUSTRY

BEEKEEPERS MEET ANNUAL CONFERENCE OPENS IN WELLINGTON. The annual conference of the National Beekeep-ers’ Association was opened yesterday in tie Esperanto EDall. Mr W. E- Barker presided over a large gathering of delegates. The conference was opened by the Minister for Agriculture, the IToti, W. U, s. MacDonald,

y . The Minister congratulated the conference on the. large and representative gathering of delegates, ft proved conclusively that ,the industry was v going ahead by leaps sand, bounds. The conference also showed that beekeepers appreciated the value of co-operation. In beekeeping and every industry it was necessary at the present time to aim at the maximum production. If the food supplies were not kept up then the men at the front could not go on fighting. Every producer owed a particular duty to the Empire in this respect. Ho wished to impress this fact on all those engaged in, the industry. Ho was pleased -to see a number of ladies present at the conference. The apiary industry was a very suitable and attractive Occupation far rwomen.. There was no question but that the honey industry had advanced tremendously during the last few years. Of course, the war had had its effect. The honorary inspectors in the industry were doing good work Apiarists must profit from tn© scientific knowledge imparted to them by the inspectors,. The apiary industry was in a flourishing condition and it must be apparent to anybody that it was a good business to . go. into. . His < department had bad many applications from return, ed soldiers who wished to be placed in suitable work on the land. If apiarists would agree to instruct and help any returned soldiers desiring to take up the industry much good would result. (Applause,} Women who had been made widows by the war could not do better than to enter the honey industry. The Minister said there was -a move by the department to secure a horticultural station which would have an apiary section. Great benefit must re spit to the Wellington district from such a station. Opportunity, for receiving instruction in any industry would be given by it. He was confident that the Government would see its way to piece a sum on the Estimates to provide such a station in Wellington. In conclusion the Minister assured delegates of the interest of his department in the welfare of the apiary industry. The Mayor, Mr J. P. Luke, then extended to the delegates a hearty welcome on behalf of the Girt Council and the citizens. He congratulated delegates on the success of the industry and on the wthole-hearted enthusiasm shown by their large attendance that morning. Mr Luke pointed out the value of beekeeping as an occupation for soldiers returning from the front. Mr T. W. Kirk, Director of the Horticulture Division, expressed the appreciation of the department of the enthusiastic work of the forty-four honorary inspectors. The department and all engaged in the industry owed hearty thank# to the energy of these workers. Mr F. S. Pope, Secretary to the Department of Agriculture, said that, judging from the large attendance and enthusiasm of delegates, the present conference would be the most successful vet held. This would be the last time he would address a beekeepers’ conference as head of the department. Certain Changes were in contemplation in the personnel of the department. Mr Pope referred interestingly to the development of the apiary industry during the ten years he had been head of the department. The growth of the industry had not only meant increased production', but better quality. The quality of New Zealand honey had improved marvellously during recent years. Mr J. Young, M.P., also addressed tho conference. Beekeeping, he said, was one of the primary industries of the Dominion, and as such should rank as an essential industry. Practical knowledge was needed on the part of beekeepers. A large amount of research work oould be undertaken by the Government to improve the nidus try. The president then addressed the conference. He impressed on delegates the necessity for co-operation in the industry. There was no reason why honoy should go back to its'old low price. With present conditions the future of the apiary industry was very bright. ■■ The secretary read his annual report, which has been published. The report, along with the balance-sheet, which showed a credit balance of .£142. was adopted.

On the motion of Mr Gillinpr, th* fob lowinc resolution was carried" That this meeting approves tho principle of co-operativo marketing, and that it be an instruction to the executive that in framing its policy the furtherance of the co-operative movement be the first plank in the proprrnmmc.’' The conference adjourned nb 12.30 p.rn. At 1 p.m., at tho Kelburn Tea Kiosk, the members of the association and the JTew Zealand Co-operative Honey Producers - * Association sat down to luncheon. • At the afternoon session a lecture was (riven on - the work at the Experimental Apiary at Thmkura by Mr A. B. Trythall, the officer in obarffe. Mr Trythall described tbe typo of hives in use at

Ruakura, and exhibited models to , illustrate his remarks. Mr James Minn addressed the conference on the question of "Honey packages for export and grading.” He outlined a new and economical method of packing honey for export, and urged that the Government should give this method a trial. Mr Allan unpacked one of these boxes for th© benefit of the conference. He considered that the present grading system was too particular. Revision of the system was badly needed and would not bring about deterioration in quality. In the evening members of the conference met in the library at the Museum. when interesting film,, ,of bee-keeping, fruit-growing and other industries were shown by officers of the Department of Agriculture. Th© conference resumes at 9.15 a.tn. to-day.