EXPORT OF HONEY

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19815, 20 February 1936, Page 14

EXPORT OF HONEY

MARKET DEVELOPMENT. CONTROL BOARD’B OPERATIONS. SUCCESSFUL YEAR REVIEWED. Some aspects of the New Zealand Honey Control Board’s efforts to develop a market overseas for the Dominion’s honey, were discussed by Mr P. A. Hillary, of Tuakau, a member of the board, at the annual field day of the South Auckland branch of the National Beekeepers’ Association, at Ruakura yesterday. At the outset of his remarks Mr Hillary apologised for the unavoidable absence of the ohairman of the Control Board, Mr J. R. Butland. He expressed sympathy with those beekeepers who suffered loss during the recent cyclonic storm, one producer having had 200 colonies of bees entirely swept away In the flood. The season had been a most disappointing one to beekeepers throughout the Dominion. The unseasonable and extremely severe periods of bad -weather had caused great expense in feeding bees, had seriously depleted the strength of the hives even to a point where they were useless, and had reduced the crop of honey to an average much below the usual level. The Honey Board had again to report a most favourable season’s marketing operations overseas, continued Mr Hillary. The Board’s policy of completing the sale of each season’s honey In one selling year and making the Anal payout accordingly was being carried out successfully. The heavy storage and Interest charges on carryovers from one season to another were thus avoided. - Honey In London. w fThe London packing depot was taken over by the Board on October 1, 1935, and the honey marketed by the Board then, for the first time, had the advantage of the sales in paok as well as In bulk. Up till that date all the proceeds from the sales of packed honey in Great Britain went to the Honey Producers* Association, which was In liquidation. The Honey Board had had only the bulk market as an outlet for the exports, and the results achieved so far must thus be considered to be vary satisfactory. From October 1 the whole proceeds from the packing operations would accrue to the Board, and provide a most profitable outlet for a large portion of the exports. This should further improve the Board’s ability to maintain and even better its payouts, which have progressively Increased until last year, when 4ld per lb for top grade was reached. The relief secured for the shareholders of the Honey Producers’ Association by the recent debt settlement with Messrs C. and E. Morton, Ltd., was a matter of great importance to the industry, continued the speaker. The liquidator had, after a protraoted period in which he had endeavoured to secure the payment of reclamation claims against shareholders, been compelled to decide upon taking summary action for the recovery of ♦mounts outstanding. Produoers’ Welfare at Stake. The serious general effects of this would have caused an effort to be made to avoid summary action. The Honey Board took a keen interest In the proceedings as it felt that the welfare of a great majority of the producers was at stake. As the result of the Board’s intervention and efforts a settlement was arrived at. The Government agreed to loan the industry the sum of £IO,OOO to pay Messrs C. and E. Morton, Ltd., and Messrs Morton agreed to reduce the debt owing to them from £17,000 to £IO,OOO. The debt had been paid, and the shareholders of the Honey Producers’ Association were able to spread their payment over a period of years Instead of facing a Court action. Every shareholder would have to pay his debt In full, but the paying in instalments over several years would affo'ra them Immense financial relief. Local Control Question. The Commission of Agriculture held an inquiry into the question of local control during February 17 and 18, in Auckland, added the speaker. A number of honey producers and representatives of the various organisations interested in the production and marketing of honey attended. Sir Francis Fraser presided, and Mr D. Jones sat with him. The various views on this important matter were placed before the Commission and a round-table conference was then arranged. A splendid spirit of reasonableness was displayed by all parties. The Commission adjourned the hearing to Christchurch, after which its report would be presented to the Government.