THE APIARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3145, 24 June 1914, Page 12

THE APIARY.

(By J.A.)

THE NATIONAL BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL CONFERENCE. In order to find space for a report of the annual '‘conference of the National Beekeepers’ Association, the usual notes are omitted The conference opened on the 17th inst. at Wellington, Mr Jae. Allan (Southland) presiding over an attendance of about 50 delegates Irom various parts of the Dominion. Mr R. W. Brickell, secretary of the National Association, acted as conference secretary. Those present included Mr T. W. Kirk (Director of the Orchards and Apiaries Division of the Department of Agriculture), and Mr Isaac Hopkins (formerly Chief Government Apiarist). The conference was formally opened by the Hon. R. Heaton Rhodes, who apologised for the unavoidable absence of the Prime Minister. Mr Rhodes said that it was plea sant to know that cordial relations bad existed between the association and he Agricultural Department, The association had from time to time made most valuable suggestions with regard to regulations and legislation necessary for the protection of the beekeeping industry, and as an outcome of its efforts the Apiaries Act had been passed by Parliament last year. This Act gave effect to most of the suggestions of the conference. The necessary regulations had not yet been gazetted, but were in course of preparation, and he hoped that they would be laid before Parliament within 14 days of the opening of the session. A voluntary syste r. of honey-grading was already in operation, and, he was informed, had been accepted by beekeepers throughout the Dominion. The value of grading was evident to all. Before it came in the price obtained for honey on the Horae market was 37s 6cl per cwt. Under the grading now in practice, exporters obtained 45s per cwt, and up to 50s had been obtained. Prospects for the coming year were good. As showing the advance that was taking place in the beekeeping industry, the Minister mentioned that during the year ending March 31 the export of f onoy amounted to s£6cwt valued at £llß2. For' the nine months ended December 31, 1913, the hone;, export totalled IbSOcvvt, valued at £3293. The figures for the March quarter were not yet available, but they would go to swell the amount which he had just given. It was also satisfactory to know that since April 1 no less than 1200 cwt of honey had been graded by. the Government Grader and a big increase was looked for by March 31 next year. Local Market Steadied. —

One lesult of grading had been to steady the local market. There had been no glut, and generally better prices for honey had been obtained locally. Owing to the advice given by the Government instructors, the horcy had been marketed in much better condition than formerly. The Minister spoke also of the establishment of a cooperative company of honey-producers in Taranaki, and a proposal to float a similar body in Canterbury. He congratulated those who were working on these lines, remarking that he was certain it would benefit the industry. He was glad to know, too, that beekeepers generally appreciated the pure food regulations. Beekeepers recognised that it was to their benefit, as well as to that of the general public, that there should be no adulteration of honey. As Minister of Public Health, he .would gladly do anything he could to assist the industry. The Government instructors reported that tho industry was making good progress, and that it was now recognised that it afforded a steadjr means of livelihood ; that there was a fair market here, and that a ronsiderblo increase in exports of honey was in prospect. The Government recognised that it was its duty to assist the industry by legislation and in other ways. He could assure them that Mr Massey and his colleagues had goodwill towards tho beekeepers and the industry, and that any suggestion the conference might make to tho Government would receive favourable consideration.

The President (Mr Jas. Allan) thanked tho Minister, on behalf of tho association, for what tho Government had done in the interests of the industry. Addressing delegates later on, Mr Allan said that, although beekeepers had enjoyed a wonderfully good year, he thought that it might have been somewhat better so far as the association was concerned. Ho appealed to delegates to lay aside all minor differences and unite in building up a strong national organisation. The Year’s Work.— - The annual report, which is tho first since the constitution of tho association was reconstructed, stated that, unforunately, the changes made had not met with general approval, and tho membership was, in consequence, not so large as had been expected. A better understanding was being reached, however, and it was hoped that when the constitution came up for discussion it could be remodelled on linos which would meet with general approval. Owing to tho small amount of the association’s funds, and the difficulty„of standardising honey, the executive had so far boon unable to carry out any work in connection with the advertising of honey in the local markets. Early in tho year the executive asked the Minister of Lands to consider the advisability of reserving 10-acro blocks at about three-mile centres as apiary sites on all suitable lands cut up from time to time. Tho Minister approved of the suggestion, and tho apiary sites were now being reserved as opportunity offers. The important amendments of the Apiaries Act, approved of by tho conference last year, had become law at least a year earlier than would have been the case if the association had not used its influence The regulations under the Pure Foods Act were very stringent, and in more

than one instance so unreasonable that they could not be enforced. One of the regula--tions was reported to the executive by the Waikato Beekeepers’ Association, and the National Association was able to use its influence, with the result that, for this season at least, the health authorities decided that no action would bo taken this year under these regulations. The executive recommended to the consideration of the incoming executive the necessity of the appointment of an organiser or organisers for the industry.. The past year’s work had been uphill and difficult; but beekeepers all over the Dominion were beginning to see tho advantages of united action. Tho Secretary read the balance sheet, which showed that tho receipts for the year totalled £Bl 11s 7d, and that there was a cash balance of 6s sd. Against that there were contingent liabilities amounting to £l4. The Secretary reported that 55 members of the old federated association had not paid their subscriptions as members of the National Association; but he could not say whether they would become members or not.

Both report and balance sheet were discussed and adopted. There was a general discussion on the subject of remodelling the constitution of the association preparatory to a detailed consideration of the matter in committee.

Co-operation.— Most of the afternoon was devoted to a discussion on the subject of co-operation, which was opened with a paper read by Mr H. W. Gilling, of Taranaki. Inter alia, he said that two Co-operative Beekeepers’ Associations were in successful operation in America, and a similar venture had improved the lot of producers in South Australia. In New Zealand the beekeepers cooperated in obtaining their requisites; but the association could not at present transact the kind or volume of business desired. A Co-operative Honey-producers’ Association had been formed in Taranaki, based on the principles followed by successful dairyfarmers’ associations, and had so far proved an unqualified success. Co-operation nad worked wonders for the dairy-farmer, who no longer had to skim his milk and churn his own butter, haggling afterwards with the grocer as to the price he should get. The same benefits would accrue to the beekeeper, who by co-operation would be removed from the metcy of the merchant, and would no longer be made to feel'a traitor to his neighbour by being compelled to cut his price to effect a sale. Under a proper scheme, still following the dairy-farmers’ system, central canning depots would be established, to which the growers would bring their honey It could then be properly treated by clarifying and granulated bv the most approved process, the manipulation being stich as to improve its quality. .From the that followed it appeared that delegates were nearly all In favour of co-operation, and tho Canterbury 3 epresontatives stated that their District Association had already taken some action in the matter, and was prepared to at once join hands with Taranaki in the hope that a national co-operative concern might be established for the benefit of beekeepers throughout the Dominion.

The Home Trade. — Tr< the latter part of. the afternoon the conference considered and discussed the development of the local market. Mr Allan, in introducing this subject, explained that the executive had not yet succeeded in drafting a woi'kable scheme of local grading, and that in existing circumstances the best thing producers could do was to so put up their honey that it would command a ready sale and a good price. Mr Kirk said that it was quite impossible for the department to undertake grading for the local market in the present condition of the industry, but that it might be feasible if co-operative depots were established. It was, of course, a question of policy, which would have to be determined by the visitor. Much was said about the necessity of advertising honey, with a view to increasing the local consumption. Last evening Mr J. S. Cotterell read a paper, entitled “ How to Increase the Honey Crop Without Increasing the Number of Colonies.” Incidentally Mr Cotterell urged that the Government should undertake the raising of queen bees at Rarotonga to supplement local supplies. He stated that he had imported a number of queen bece from the Cook Islands, with entirely satisfactory results. In the course of a discussion which followed the question of feeding was raised. Mr Cotterell favoured spring-feeding, but there was a good deal of diversity of opinion among those present as to whether spring or autumn feeding was best. Some of the beekeepers contended that it was best to avoid artificial feeding altogether. WELLINGTON, June 19. The annual conference of the National" Bee-keepers’ Association of New Zealand was concluded to-day. A number of important resolutions bearing on the export trade in honey were agreed to. It was resolved to ask the Agricultural Department to amend the export regulations so as to allow honey tins to be varnished with raw linseed oil instead of having to be lacquered. A motion by Mr Dray (Canterbury), to the effect that the inspectors of the department would be more usefully employed in eradicating disease than in grading, provoked an animated discussion, but it was lost by a large majority. It was unanimously resolved to request the Government to appoint more inspectors, _ in view of the rapid orowtli of the industry. A deputation waited on the Hon. R. Rhodes (Post-master-general), Avho acted for the Minister of Agriculture. The deputation requested the Government to take in hand a scheme to supply bee-keepers with young and vigorous queen bees. The deputation reported that the Minister had given them a sympathetic hearing, and promised to bring the matter before the Minister of Agriculture. Papers were read on “ Specialisation ” and “ Foreign markets.”

The conference closed with the election of officers for the coming year, which resulted as follows : —President, Mr James Allen (Southland); vice-president, Mr J. S. Cottrell (Waikato); secretary, Mr li. W. Brickell (Dunedin); executive—North Island, Messrs S. Hutchinson and H. W. Gidding; South Island, Messrs A. Ireland and C. A. Jacobson; auditor, Mr F. O'. Baines.