NEW ZEALAND HONEY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21775, 14 October 1932, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND HONEY

CONTINENTAL MARKETS PROSPECTS NOT GOOD. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON September 2. Mr J. R. Rutland (Government representative on the Honey Board) and Mr H. W. Castle (London representative) have returned from a business visit to the Continent. During their five weeks’ tour they investigated the markets for honey in Holland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Belgium. They started their journey in Holland and found the people somewhat depressed. In the hotels there were very few foreign visjtors. In Germany the depression deepened. In Denmark they found all the business people very sorry for themselves, and Sweden, which a year ago was probably the most prosperous country in Europe, has now no money at all. The visitors returned to England with the feeling that here we are not bo badly off after all. So far as honey is concerned they found that the potential market in Germany is still extensive, but the economic position prevents any but a very small sale of New Zealand honey owing to the price. In Holland and Belgium slight progress is being made, but again the question of price, owing to present conditions, prejudices sales. In Denmark, Norway, and Sweden there is this year a very heavy protection on hdney, and the prospects of any improvement in sale this winter are not bright. Furthermore, there are restrictions on the market in Norway and Sweden. In addition to this there is the greatest difficulty in securing payment in sterling. After the fire at Messrs C, and E. Morton’s factory on the Thames, temporary machinery was set up for mixing and packing the Imperial bee honey. Fortunately it is the slack season, and the firm has been able to meet all orders. The rebuilding of the factory will not be completed for three months, after which a new nlant has to be installed. Mr Rutland expects to leave for New Zealand at the end of this month. He will return by way of India where ho intends to pay several business calls.