H—3oa

Accordingly this year, when it seemed possible to make do with a somewhat smaller " national pool " of honey, the National Beekeepers' Association Conference recommended alterations to the regulations which would allow them to sell direct some 50 per centrather than the former 30 per cent, of their production. The current regulations embody by and large the industry's suggestions for implementing this change. Apiarists are required to supply 30 lb. per hive from all but the first nineteen hires. If hives produce under 40 lb., the owner may apply for a reduction in his quota. 1943-44 Season On winding up the 1943-44 season in October, it was calculated that the Division had distributed 1,208 tons, as follows : Tons. Air .. .. .. .. .. .. 47 Army .. .. .. .. .. .. 163 Hospitals .. .. .. .. 24 Prisoners of war .. .. .. .. 10 Navy .. - .. .. .. .. 33 Schools, camp, manufacturers, &c. .. .. .. 80 To Greece .. .. .. .. .. 30 To Britain .. .. .. .. .. 100 Main centres .. .. .. .. .. 499 Country towns .. .. .. .. .. m Balance for civilian distribution later in year .. 112 By this means the main centres received, through the Division, approximately five-eights of their peacetime consumption of 3 lb. per head. A small part of the honey sold direct by beekeepers would also reach the cities, but by far the greater part was undoubtedly consumed in the country districts, as had been envisaged when the regulations were drawn up. The Division supplies merchants by quota and has asked retailers, in supplying families, to take into account both the comparative needs of customers and the desirability of a wide distribution. 1944-45 Season Adverse weather from November to January has affected the 1944-45 crop, and it is expected that not more than 500 tons will be received. The main areas of failure were the North Island, particularly in the Waikato and Taranaki districts, and as two-thirds of the production in the North Island comes from these areas, the Division's overall receipts were seriously affected. With the rationing of sweet goods owing to wartime conditions, there is a heavy demand for honey. For the year Ist April, 1944, to 31st March, 1945, the Division's honey plant received 703 tons in bulk and 91 tons in pack. The season ending June, 1944 Tons. Bulk .. .. .. .. .. 504 Packed .. .. .. .. 83 Season, Ist July, 1944, to 31st March, 1945 (part)— Bulk .. .. .. .. .. 199 Packed .. .. .. .. .. 8 The average grade was 91*99, against 93*41 last year. The total value of the above honey—bulk being valued at 7d. per pound, pro rata, plus Jd. bonus, and the packed honey at the price paid to the beekeepers—is as follows: „ , £ s. d. Bulk honey .. .. .. .. 44,235 2 3 Packed honey .. .. .. .. 7,852 18 11 £52,088 1 2

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