HONEY PRODUCTION

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19606, 19 June 1935, Page 6

HONEY PRODUCTION

APIARISTS’ CONVENTION. DOMINION CONFERENCE OPENED. DECREASE IN DISEASE. In the presence of more thart 40 apiarists, representative of almost every honey-produolng district In the Dominion, the annual conference of the New Zealand Natlonat Beekeepers’ Association was opened by the DeputyMayor of Hamilton, Mr H. D. Caro, In the Winter Show Hall this morning. Many topics touching Intimately upon both the P rod “°" tlon and marketing aspects of the Industry will oome under consideration before the olose of the convention on Friday. The president, Mr C. A. Pope, of Canterbury, presided. Air Caro apologised for the absenpa of tlie Mayor, Mr J. R. Fow, and extended to the visitors a hearty welcome to the Waikato. He hoped that the conference -would be marked with success. He stressed the need lor co-operation in all the Dominion s primary Industries, mentioning the value of this method in the production and marketing of butter and advancing the opinion that New Zealand's industries could be brought together to win the markets of the world. » Room for Expansion.” “In New Zealand we eat as much honey as the people of Britain and there is no need to stress its food value,” said Air Caro. ’’ There is a remarkable opportunity for expansion in the United Kingdom and I do not think the market has been at all exploited. In honey production New Zealand is on the eve of establishing a great industry. Mr J. A. Campbell, director of the Horticultural Division of Department of Agriculture, said the beekeeping industry was passing through a critical stage brought about by the lapsing of the original .co-operative society which he considered had not failed In improving the position throughout New Zealand. It had succeeded in its main object though it had lapsed as a commercial venture. The outcome of the winding-up of the association brought about the Institution of the Control Board. The board was not officially in any way associated with the liquidation of the Honey Producers’ Association, though inofficially it could not fail to be concerned with It. The sooner the position was cleared the better. “ I believe the honey industry has a future —sounder than many of our other primary Industries," said Mr Campbell. “ Honey has not dropped In price overseas as have many of our other products and although there are difficulties ahead they are not Insurmountable and they can and will be overcome.”

Mr Campbell referred to the difficulties of obtaining and distributing duty-free sugar and mentioned that it had been suggested that ‘certain low grade honeys could be used for this bee-food. At the moment this was not possible but it was a feasible proposition which could he brought about by sound concerted organisation. This would remove the embarrassment obtained by low class honeys on the market. “ Best Friend of Industry.” Mr P. A. Hillary, describing Mr Campbell as the best friend the industry ever had, paid a warm tribute to his work in the interests of beekeepers. In order to advance their position Mr Campbell had chanced 1 a great deal of adverse criticism. Mr E. A. Earp, chief apiary instructor, said that the work in regard to the eradication of disease was proceeding very satisfactorily and tho seven officers in New Zealand were doing good work with the limited finance available.

Foul brood was definitely on tho decrease In both Islands and, about 90 per cent, of apiaries visited during the year had been found clean.

With the assistance of the parttime officers it had been possible to get a grip of the disease. The slump had necessitated the discard of this service but voluntary inspectors continued to render valuable assistance to tho Instructors.

The department was convinced that disease was not so widely spread as the beekeepers In Britain would like to make out and although English apiarists had alleged that New Zealand hives were rotted with disease the Dominion actually had less foulbrood than most of the countries which were making criticism. This statement was altogether backed by fact and statistics and he had been surprised at tho very large number of colonies in New Zealand which were free of disease. There should, however, be no let-iup on tho question until the Government was in a position to pronounce the Dominion as being altogether free of foul-brood Resignation of Secretary. Mr T. 11. Pearson, president of the South Auckland branch, also extended a welcome to the visitors and endorsed Mr Caro’s remarks concerning the food value of the honey products. “The co-operation that exists among apiarists has lifted some of the weight of the depression,” declared the president, Mr C. A. Pope (Canthe president, Mr G. A. Pope (Canterbury). "The association is working very hard in tlie interests of members but little tangible cart be brought before the conference. During the year, after lu years of service, the secretary, Mr J. C- Eckroyd had to relinquish office and Hie association owes to him a deep •debt of gi«*titude."