NEW ZEALAND HONEY.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18537, 18 January 1932, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND HONEY.

markets on the continent. AN INTERESTING REPORT. After a business visit to the Continent in connection with the sale ot New Zealand honey (says the Nev Zealander, published in London), Mi 11. W. Castle, of Messrs C. and lMorion, Ltd., .who handle- the New Zealand Control Board’s output in Great Britain and Europe, reports—- " Eight months ago, on my I'Ctm n from a visit to Germany, I stated that the position was infinitely worse than on my previous visit, and that in my opinion another aeule financial (and possibly political) crisis was impending. n is now known that the financial crisis lias arisen and Germany has asked for tho summoning of the Advisory Committee of the Young Plait. ]n Berlin 1 found very few people .'n restaurants and cabarets, and the majority of those present were foreign visitors. In the streets persons soliciting arms were numerous. Germany cannot pay her external delis other than in goods, and in commercial circles there Is no faith in the mark. There is dread of the country being forced off the gold standard and tho mark becoming valueless. It seemed somewhat ironical therefore to lie able to obtain only 15 marks for a onepound note. The political situation Is unstable; Hie Hitlerites are steadily gaming strength at the expense of the

Moderates, and the Communists arc recruiting from the Socialists. The sale of New Zealand honey under such conditions is almost. impossible and we still have to mark time. Denmark. “Owing to the low prices received for her produce, particularly bacon (which is cheaper than for more than 20 years) the position in Denmark is none too happy, and farmers are passing through very bad times. Many farms have been left derelict, and in an effort to stop the drift the Government has instituted a special tax 'on the rest of the community to be applied to the relief . of the farmers. There is, however, still plenty of money in the country, and there is not tlie slightest evidence of want. There is, rather, a general lowering of costs, particularly in restaurants, where a really good lunch can be obtained for 2s 3d, against 3s Gd in the early part Of the year. Given a normal winter the prospects of New Zealand honey—still first , favourite after Danish—are good. '1 doubt whether it is generally realised that although Denmark may be the chief competitor of New Ze:|uul butler she is (relatively lo population) her best customer for honey. in weight Scandinavia actually ranks next to Great Britain in her purchases of honey. Holland. “Although Holland lias lost much money of recent years—especially since wc left the gold standard —she is still a wealthy land. Utir honey is making good progress and to-day it

may be seen in all good-class shops ( and the large stores In Rotterdam, .the Hague and Amsterdam.” United Kingdom. , In the United Kingdom, Mr Castle adds, “sales of the, honey continue tl, Increase, and a point worthy of note \ is that honey is the only produce of t New Zealand which during the last ; two years of acute depression has advanced in price.”