THE APIARY INDUSTRY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9998, 15 June 1918, Page 9

THE APIARY INDUSTRY

BEEKEEPERS’ CONFERENCE

VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE INDUSTUY DISCUSSED.

Tlio annual conference of the National Beekeepers’ Association was concluded yesterday. Mr \V. E. Barker presided. Tire following resolution, proposed by Mr James Allan, was carried:—“That the Government bo strongly urged to appoint a chief apiarist at a salary commensurate with Aho qualifications required to fill the position; also that the Minister be recommended to increase the salaries of inspectors/’ Mr Allan said that this matter had been brought under the notice of the Minister for Agriculture last year, but tho only result was a reply from the Government that war conditions prevented such an appointment being made. Mr Allan said a renewed attempt should bo made to bring about the appointment. Mr Baines, in speaking to the resolution, said that tho industry was handicapped by not having such an official. A man with special knowledge was wanted in Wellington. New Zealand apiarists could show that they were certain of a 55 per cent, increase on pre-war prices for three years after the war. No other New Zealand producer could do that.

Other speakers emphasised these points and said that such an officer could ho selected from New Zealand apiarists. Mr T. IV. Kirk, while in sympathy with the motion, did not think that the Public Service Commissioners would fill tha position at present. Inspectors’ salaries were being increased bv the Ponnrtment and junior officers appointed during the war would be placed temporarily under the present apiary officials.

Mr Nelson moved that the Minister for Agriculture bo u'rged to exert nil possxble influence to ship honey in at present, also that the Minieier’s attention be directed to the matter of oiw. r»rly considering a-niarists in regard to the supply of Tetrol. Tlie motion was carried.

Delegates were appointed to interview the Minister for Agriculture and Pnbli-' Service Commissioner on matters of importance to the industry. Mr 11. B. Bartlett-MUler read a. paper on "The Value of Oenetics to all Beekeepers." and an interesting discussion followed. ,

Tho conference than went on to discuss Hie work at the experimental apiary at ItuaJnmv in respect to which a lecture had been given by Mr A. B. Try. thall tho previous day. Mr Kirk referred to tho queen rearing station at Tauranga. Ho said the climate there waa particularly suitable to queen rearing. The department hoped by next summer to have this station doing excellent rearing work. Mr A. Ireland gavo a lecture, entitled "A Few Remarks on Frames, showing Different Kinds." After considerable discussion the following motion, proposed by lilr Ireland, was lost:—"That it be a recommendation to the manufacturers that the top bar of tho frame of the standard hive bo increased from 1 inch to one inch.” Mr Y. H. Benton gave a demonstration of his capping melter. Tho Waikato branch submitted a number of amendments to tho constitution of the association. After some discussion these were approved. The following motion by Mr Bray was approved : —"That this.'.conference urges upon the Department of Agriculture the urgent necessity of preventing the removal of diseased bees from one place to another."

Mr Kirk said that regulations in this respect wore .almost drafted, and would be placed in the hands of the Crown Law Officers within a month. The removal of diseased bees was now an ofionce. Soon there would be only two inspectors left to administer the Act. The deputation, which waited on ihe Minister for ' Agriculture,, announced the result of their representations to the Minister. The Minister was keen to assist apiarists in getting their honey away, and had promised to cable to tho Prime Minister within two days. Tho Minister also promised to ask Cabinet for an increased rate for honey graders. If a suitable man were secured the appointment of a chief apiarist would be made at an early date. Mr B. \V. Briokell gave a paper on the food value of honey. He read extracts from papers which are not in general circulation which emphasise tho value of honey as a food. He suggested that these points could form the basis of an advertising campaign undertaken either by the association or the H.P.A.

The election of offioei's resulted as follows President, Mr W. B. Barker; vicepresident, Mrs James Allan; North Island executive, Messrs A. Ireland and W. Watson; South Island executive, Messrs R. Nelson and B. W. Sage.

Mr I’. C. Baines was re-elected secretary and editor of the association’s journal. His salary in the latter capacity ■was increased. There wae considerable discussion as to the location of tho next conference, and it was finally decided to leave this matter to the executive. This concluded the business of the conference.

THREE HUNDRED TONS OF HONEY

AWAITING SHIPMENT. DEPUTATION TO HON. W. D. 8. . AIACDONALJD. Delegates from the New Zealand Beekeepers' Association conference waited upon the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald (Minister for Ajcriculture) yesterday afternoon with reference to certain, matters ufteotinK the industry. The deputation was introduced by Mr J.-A. Young, M.I J . for Waikato. and included iMessrs 11. W. Qillins. James Allen. Briokell and Balnea (editor of tho "Bee-Keepers' Journal" and secretary to tho association). The delegates stated that both from tho point of view of the producers .here and in tho interests of the consumers at Home, thev desired inoreased shipping facilities, about 800 tons <7OOO cases) of honey having accumulated in the grading stores, and in view of tho phonomenally high prices ruling:, tliov woro all tho more anxious to net their produce Homo. Beekeepers, as a (toneral mle, wero not men of larire capital, and it was most important that thev should get their honey awav and itet a auick return. The question of the salaries of the apiary instructors was ftiso referred to, and tho deputation, nrsed that their-status should bo improved apd their salaries increased. Delegates desired, too. the appointment of a chief apinrist to control tho operations of tlip. staff of instructors.

The Minister replied that he reoopnisod the importance of providing shipping facilities to tret the honcv away, and he would at once Rot into touch with the Prime Mnistor in London and nrpe that the question of seonrinp shipjinir space for tho export of honcv should h" hrouorht under the notice of<the Imperial authorities. Tho siißßestiens with reference to the status and pay of the apiary instructors and tho appointment of a chief apiarist would bn Ijfoußht before Cabinet for consideration.