PROPOSED BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 10

PROPOSED BEE-KEEPERS' ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of bee-keepers was held in the Y.M.C.A Rooms, Stuart street, on the 2nd to consider the desirability of forming an Otago Bee-keepers' Association. There were about a dozen persons present, including Mr W. B. Bray, Government Apiarist, and Mr Ja.s. Allan, of Wyndham, of the Southland Bee-keepers' Association, the latter being to the chair. Mr Allan outlined the circumstances that led to the formation of the Southland Association three or four years ago, and mentioned that the exhibit of honey in the winter show, which had attracted so much attention, was the result of the existence of the Southland Society. The objects of the Southland Society were l to watch legislation affecting bee culture and to educate the public up to paying a fair price for good wholesome honey: and incidentally to so regulate the sale as to prevent the market from being flooded. The Southland Society had devoted its attentions to the eradication of foul brood, and, through its efforts, some modifications and improvements were effected in the Government Foul Brood Act, and made that act a distinct advantage to beekeepers. For the past 20 years he had devoted his attention to stamping out foul brood in bees, and he thought if the department adopted proper treatment and insisted upon its being followed, foul brood would be eradicated. At the present time, he understood, further Govern incut legislation was contemplated, dealing with' bep-keepiner. Ever since the foul brood legislation came into force the boxhive man had been dealt with leniently, but it was now intended to make it an offence for anyone to keep bees in a box, as it was impossible to keep such hives clean. It was also contemplated to mak? every bee-keeper register and obtain a license. He thought it was in the _in terests of bee-keepers to form associations and act together for the mutual good, and gave numerous instances of how such unity would be to the general advantage. He also laid considerable stress on the advantage of leaving one day in each year for members of such societies to meet together and have a field day where demonstrations could be given of queen-bee rearing,- foul brood extirpation, etc. As a result of the formation of the Southland Society bee-keepers in that district were getting 75 per cent, more for their honey than Canterbury sellers were getting, owing to members not cutting the price under one' another. Mr Dey also spoke of the advantages of forming l a society. Mr Caldwell, .Southland, said the association there controlled every pound of honey raised in the district, and controlled the price. Mr Bray also urged the formation of an association for educative purposes. Mr Wilson said there were about 30 beekeepers round about Dunedin, and when he gave an address some time ago on beekeeping about 150 persons attended. He had no difficulty in getting 6d per lb for his honey. He thought the public should be educated up to having- honey on the table every day of the week. The Chairman said the Southland Association not only dealt with and . controlled the whole output of tap honey in the district, but endeavoured to deal with the honey as well, and hoped to be able to deal successfully with the latter. Mr W. C. Brown moved' —" That those present form themselves into a committee to consider steps necessary for the formation of a society and to report to a future mesting." Personally, he favoured Otago members joining the Southland Association and making one strong society of it, instead of having two societies. Some years ago he was secretary of a bee-keepers association in Otago, when they had as members, lawyers, ministers, and other persons who were only interested theoretically, and others who only kept one or two colonies. He thought membership should be confined to those who kept bees for profit, as they were all desirous of getting more money for their honey. Tso one who kept less than, say, five hives should be a member. Owing to the absence of personal profit, the previous association fizzled out, and he was afraid any other society founded on similar lines would do likewise. If an Otago and Southland association was formed, they could then extend and have a Canterbury association, and then a Middle Island association. He saw no reason, under proper regulations, why honey should not approximate the same price "as butter. The New Zealand Foul Brood Act was considered in America to be a model one. Mr A. Paterson. Warrington, said ne thought that a society, if formed, wouJd educate bee-keepers up to the most approved methods in dealing with their colonies. Mr Dey moved as an amendment— lUBX those present form themselves into an association," but afterwards withdrew this in favour of the motion, which was car--11 The Chairman said he thought it would be a mistake to restrict membership in any W A' hearty vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the business, those present afterward* meeting as a <£™ tt; "V ai £ deciding to circularise all bee-keepers m Otago to attend a future meeting to be convened by Mr Wilson.