APIARISTS’ PROBLEMS

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19607, 20 June 1935, Page 8

APIARISTS’ PROBLEMS

REMITS CONSIDERED

CONFERENCE CONTINUED.

LOCAL CONTROL LEGISLATION. Important considerations governing the production and marketing of honey were discussed at the Dominion conference of the National Beekeepers’ Association, which was continued in the Winter Show hall to-day. Remits from affiliated branches were considered and resolutions framed. Tho president, Mr C. A. Pope, presided. Remits from five branches in the Dominion sought the restoration of the par't-time local inspectors. Mr L. Irwin (Southland) said that the costs borne by the honorary inspectors were most unjust and he felt convinced that some recompense was desirable.

Mr W. G. Short (Feilding) thought that a certain amount of ill-feeling was generated in the visits of the honorary officers to apiaries and the opinion was expressed that the restoration of the part-time, inspectors would assure the maintenance of a check upon disease. Air. A. H. Davies (Hamilton) said that it was impossible for the Government officers to cover fully the areas under their jurisdiction and some form of supplementary assistance was most necessary to meet the position. The remits were approved. A resolution was passed expressing support for a primary producers’ federation, Messrs. Short, Irwin and. Hillary' stressing the advantages' that would accrue to the honey industry by co-operation. Some' weight could then be given to the Association’s representations to the Government.

Local Control Problem.

The importance' of local control legislation was stressed by Mr T. 11. Pearson. He said that the problem was the very pivot of the industry and in the earlier discussions its importance had been rightly emphasised. The legislation would have a profound effect on the export market, would be of value to those affected by the liquidation of the Honey Producers’ Association and would probably prove the life or death of New Zealand Honey Limited. -It was vitally necessary for, the progress of,the Industry and the Government should be made to realisel its Importance. There were a number of beekeepers who would be able, by means of control measures, to make a reasonable giving, but if the legislation did not eventuate it would become a case df the " survival of the Attest." 1

Air A. H. Davies (South Auckland) said that the custom had arisen for producers to pack and sell their own honey to merchants, retailers and consumers in competition with one another through the large number of sellers and comparatively few buyers in a pressing down of prices below the cost of production. Unorganised marketing bad aLso led to the offering of honey to the public without any guarantee of quality which would eventually seriously react on its use as a food. Mr P. A. Hillary stressed that control meant only compulsory co-opera-tion and it was only the shortsighted policy of the primary producer who wanted to retain an independent opinion, which stood out from the general position prevailing among other industries in the Dominion. It was not intended to foist high prices upon the consumer—the retail rates would still be fixed by the retailer himself—and the control measures were to eliminate the “chiselling” of those who were not entirely dependent on the industry for a living and of the few who scouted the idea of co-operation and were able to cut the prices and so make voluntary co-operation impossible.

Resolution Carried. Mr Murdoch (Ross) Said that he oould find nothing but criticism for the many bottling departments scattered In England. If the co-operation of other important primary producers’ organisations in the Dominion would result in the opening up of new and broader markets there would be consequent relief on the local position. The South Auckland branch’s remit that the conference should make every effort to secure effect to the repeated request of the organisation for local control legislation was carried. The following resolutions were also passed.— (I) “That whereas honey producers have for years impressed upon the Government the necessity for some measure of controlled selling in Iho local market, in support of their own voluntary efforts to enable them to establish honey as a reliable article of food to lie sold at an economic price, this conference) deplores the apathy of the Government in bringing down legislation necessary to bring about an orderly state of’marketing in the Dominion. (2) Therefore members of ihe National Association pledge themselves to take any political action necessary to enforce their demands.

It was decided to amend the constitujion in order that the executive committee could he elected from any locality instead of from specific areas of tiic Dominion. This was considered to he of major value in eliminating parochialism and enabling the executive to continue its work throughout the year with a good muster of its members.

A paper was read by Mr H. R. Penny, •of Taranaki, dealing with the most’ effective methods for the management ■of out-yards. He stressed the necessity for planned organisation and mentioned that lie was a staunch supporter of the central depot system.