DEMAND ON BEEKEEPERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25240, 1 June 1943, Page 2

DEMAND ON BEEKEEPERS

MARKETING DIVISION’S ACTION (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 31. An ultimatum has been issued to eight Canterbury beekeepers to supply honey to the Internal Marketing Division in accordance with the marketing regulations, which place 70 per cent, of the crop under State control. *» The Canterbury Beekeepers’ Association has undertaken to - defend the beekeepers in the event of any prosecutions. . This was announced to-day by the president of the association, Mr W. B. Bray, who said that the whole position had been further discusesd at a meeting of beekeepers. It was agreed that producers who were prepared to supply the division could do so. Some producers were already supplying the division under protest and without prejudice to their demand for a higher price. Mr Bray added that, while seme producers had received a demand for their honey, others had not received replies from the division to letters they had written a month ago asking for instructions. He also knew of one producer on the West Coast who had complained about the price he would receive from the division and was given permission to sell his honey locally. That action showed that the division had a selective policy which would permit Canterbury producers to be left out of the Marketing Department’s control. ’ 1 The meeting, said Mr Bray, also took strong exception to the remarks made by the beekeepers’ national president, Mr E. A. Field, accusing the Canterbury producers of obstructing the war effort. It was decided to send a protest to the National Executive.