EXPORT OF HONEY

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

EXPORT OF HONEY

BRIGHTER PROSPECTS

BOARD CHAIRMAN'S REVIEW.

‘RETURNS TO PRODUCER. How a difficult position on the English market had been effectively met by the New Zealand Honey Export Control Board since it commenced operations in 1933 was outlined by the chairman of the board, Mr J. A. Butland, addressing the conference of the National Beekeepers’ Association in Hamilton yesterday afternoon. Mr Butland recalled that the first conference he had attended was in June, 1933, shortly after the board had assumed control of the British market. A policy had somewhat nervously been outlined and it was obviously accepted with some trepidation, although the board received the wholehearted support of the producers in striving to attain the ends which were then set forth. “It was. no small undertaking and the difficulties as we saw them were, If anything, under-estimated,’’ declared Mr Butland. “But we have been able to keep right up to schedule in the predictions that we originally made. No primary industry could claim equal success to the honey industry' since the board took over affairs in 1933.

“We predicted a pay-out of 4d on the 1933 season and promised to do our utmost to avoid any possibility of carrying .over storage and interest charges. In our flrst season we disposed of the whole export of 300 tons and realised 4 5-Sd which was a remarkable achievement when it is remembered that foreign honeys were selling on the British market for as low as 18s ■ cwt." Pay-outs Announoed. Mr Butland said that the board’s second marketing year would conclude In August and the board had so far, paid out 4d. He was pleased to announoe that it would advance another 3d pro rata. This payment was made In addition to having wiped off in the flrst year £1475 of the loan obtained for the purchase of inferior brands and the present payment ol 4Jd would enable the board to pay off a amount of £1250 plus interest. The return that had been obtained and the relief that had been given producers was to a great extent attributable to the work of those who bad figured in the earlier history of the industry. He took no credit for the advantages that had been handed to the board by Mr J. Rentoul and others who had established the foundations of the industry in England. During the past two years Messrs S. and E. Morton had quitted 1250 tons of honey, the position being thus consolidated and the surplus in London being reduced to 50 tons of which 40 tons was unblendable. This surplus was being graduallj worked out upon the market. “I have been challenged to prove ■that Dominion honey lias a market in England,” declared Air Rutland. “Our produce has sold well and it is the envy of every other producing country in the world. They all complain that they arc unable to compete against us. Moreover, speculation In regard to our output has been ruled out of the question. Any primary industry would be pleased to be in our position.”

The speaker went on to state that during the past two years those responsible had decided that It was a waste of time to attempt to teaoh the British public what they must eat. New Zealand must give them what they wanted.

The board was compelled—rather reluctantly—to go into the whole question of grading and, although from some of the criticism it might seem that the boarr' was deliberately out to paralyse sections of the industry, any sane producer knew this to be wrong. A conference had been called of all the parties interested and a most satisfactory grading system had been evolved. High Grade Produce Necessary. "It is not very satisfactory for a producer to learn that his honey is not suitable for the British market, but I can assure you that everything is'being done to And an outlet for the lower grade product,” explained Mr Butland. ' "We have offered inducements to the apiarists to develop these lines that can be readily marketed and I appeal to ail beekeepers to cooperate with the board in this work." * Mr Butland mentioned: “No man has a soft job on the,Honey Control Board and the lees of £25 for members and £SO for the chairman, are, I might, mention, not always collected. The members have been out of pocket not only in money but in time.”

There seemed to be only one way of controlling the local market —and he did not suggest that the Board should take over this work—and that would come about when someone would take the responsibility of incurring a loan t o sc tile the Honey Producers’ liquidation debt and repay the borrowed money over a term of years. It was, however, only reasonable that co-operative marketing should be viewed somewhat anxiously by producers who would be required to burn their boats and trust to an organisation which they thought might conceivably fail. He strongly urged the producers to support such men as Messrs Hillary and Nelson in their efforts in this direction. Mr Butland told the conference that the board had been asked to submit proposals for local control and Ihese had been outlined and forwarded to the Agricultural Commission. It had not been suggested that anyone should be forced into co-operative control, but that it should be used to stabilise the marked. The main factor in the question of local control was that through a board it was possible to build a nationally-owned brand in New Zealand. Producers would also then be able to build up a business and make a levy for an advertising campaign which could increase the consumption enormously. A means would also be provided ot dealing with honeys unsuitable for (lie British market.

Expressing a personal opinion, Mr Hulland said ■Hint ho, thought that under present conditions there was (Continued in uext column.)

no chapce of local control coming into operation. Unless the beekeepers made their wants known with greater force they would get nowhere with the negotiations. Confidence In Board. Several members congratulated Mr Butland on the work that had been performed by the board, and the following motion was carried: —"That this meeting of commercial honey producers conveys to Mr Butland Its appreciation of his voluntary and selfless assistance in our efforts to secure the passing of legislation which will stabilise the local marketing of honey under conditions ensuring security to the producer and reliable quality to the consumer.” A resolution was also passed expressing entire confidence In the board and appreciation for Its untiring and able efforts to place the industry on a sound commercial basis. Several questions were asked of Mr Butland. Mr T. 11. Pearson (Hamilton) Inquired whether the board haa considered the possibility of establishing depots for the treatment of honeys in order to obtain uniform blend, Mr Butland replying that this was purely a matter for the producers themselves. Mr Murdoch (West Coast) gave details of the payments that he had received before the advent of the of the controlled marketing which he stated ranged from 73d to 9d per lb. In answer to Mr Butland lie admitted that this was as early as 1924*25, before the advent of the slump at a time when .primary produce prices were uniformly high. He maintained that the Act prejudiced those who had been shipping honey to England prior to its operation. . ; •

REGISTRATION FEES. QUESTION OF SMALL PRODUCER After a protracted discussion in which the recommendations made by a specially appointed sub-committee .were thoroughly considered, the National Beekeepers’ Association at its annual conference in Hamilton yesterday afternoon decided to urge the Government to levy a registration insurance fee of 5s upon apiarists possessing up to 25 colonies and 2's fid for each additional 25 colonies or part (hereof in the home apiary and 2s fid for every out apiary. II was recommended that the returns gained from the registration after making deductions for the cost of collection, should be handed lo the National Beekeepers’ Association and that the compensation for any destruction necessary should be disbursed on the recommendation of the department's officers.

CAWTHRON INSTITUTE WORK. In the afternoon an address on the research work in apiculture carried out by the Cawtliron Institute was given by the director. Mr T. Bigg. He outlined the investigations that- had been made in regard to honey flavours and referred lo the el'fet'ls of birch and ragwort on the ma;kcted product. A full report win appear to-morrow.