APIARY SITES

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 23029, 21 October 1944, Page 4

APIARY SITES

Licensing Proposal Opposed

The South Canterbury Executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday considered a letter from Mr J. Forster (Washdyke), secretary of the Canterbury branch of the National Beekeepers’ Association, who advised that at the September meeting a resolution had been carried: “That the South Island Provincial Farmers’ Union Executive and the Fruitgrowers’ Association be notified that the Government proposed to introduce legislation for the purpose of licensing apiary sites.” The Canterbury branch was totally opposed to such legislation and had appointed a committee to watch the interests of the farmers, beekeepers, fruitgrowers and seed producers, and to take action on their behalf. Mr G. Barclay (Waihaorunga) wrote that the Canterbury beekeepers shifted their bees about a good deal at the request of farmers who grew seeds, rape, chou moullier, white and red clover, etc. This was to the mutual advantage of both the farmers and the beekeepers, and, if apiary sites were licensed, it would mean that the beekeeper would have to apply for authority to shift his bees, and the result would be that the shifting of bees would be practically cut out. Mr Barclay added that he had shifted bees to help a farmer who had a lot of white clover and it had been to the advantage of both. Mr Barclay suggested that the following remit be adopted: ‘That this meeting objects to the licensing of apiary sites as it will stop the shifting of bees by the apiarists to suit farmers who were growing seeds.” On the proposal of Messrs F. J.Henshaw and G. L. Murray, the remit was carried.