COMMERCIAL BEEKEEPING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 109, 25 January 1918, Page 9

COMMERCIAL BEEKEEPING

DOES IT PAY IN NEW ZEALAND? INTERVIEW YiflTH MR. I. HOPKINS. In view of the great advance in price quoted for New Zealand honey in England just now, an Auckland "Star" representative interviewed Mr. Isaac Hopkins, the veteran who introduced, just forty years ago, the modern system of commercial beekeeping into Australasia,- for some information concerning ■ the progress, present position, and future, .prospects of the industry in New Zealand. What are the latest quotations for Now Zealand honey in England?

"For pur first grade, £150 per ton." What is first grade, and how is it graded? ' • "White clover honey. All honey must be officially tested and graded by Government graders, and the packages be branded accordingly before it is allowed to leave New Zealand."

How many grades are there, and how do they'compare in price? "Practically three, and with first at £150, second would be about £135, and third £125." ■'■~•■-'

How do these compare with pre-war prices? They are-from 250 to 300 per cent, advance."

How far do you think these prices will recede after the war?

"An offer has already been made to our Exporting Association to pay not less thaw £60 per ton for three years after the war, but this does not mean that tho price will bo limited to that; it may reach much more. I am satisfied tho prices will always remain at least 50 per cent, higher than pre-war rates. Lots of people are now eating honey for the first time, and they will always remain consumers.''

How many beekeepers are there in Now Zealand, and what is the anuual crop of honey? "Between 12,000 and 13,000 beekeepers, and I expect there will be a crop of between 1200 and 1500 tons this season, worth somewhere in the neighbourhood of £100,000. And, mind you, this is from the saving of a natural product that otherwise would be gone for ever." Could farmers keep bees with profit? "Yes, provided one of the family, a son or daughter, for instance, of, say, 17 or upwards, had a' season's training at the Government Apiary, and then was placed in charge of tho bees; not otherwise."

What capital would be required to start ?

"It is always best for beginners to start in a small way, and increaso operations each season while gaining experience. Iu this case £20 should give them a good start." '• ■ How docs New Zealand compare with other countries regarding the industry of commercial beekeeping, and also its class of honey? "Owing to the forceful nnture of tho pioneers of our industry and tho sympathetic part our Government has played in passing drastic legislation which other countries are now adopting, commercial beekeeping in Now Zealand is in' the lead of ail countries. Regarding our honey, it tops the market; our Government grading, which no other country has yet adopted, has done wonders for our export trade."

Will you give me a brief outline of the progress of this industry.since you first introduced it?

"Prior to 3878 there was very little honey raised in New Zealand, and what was raised was under the old sulphur pit system. The lirst modern apiary in Australasia was started by myself at the Thames in 1879, and the first extensive commercial bee farm was also established by myself at Matamata in 1882. There'was a big rush into tho new beekeeping after that date,_ and with its' expansion the bee disease known as 'foul brood' spread and through careless heekeeperstlie industry was threatened with extinction. Only the most determined of the pioneers held on till the Department of Agriculture came to the rescue in 1905, when a great change took place for the better. The Apiaries Act, for which I was responsible, came into force in 1907, since when the industry has gone ahead by the proverbial leaps and bounds. In 1906 the output of honey was 450 tons, in 1915 1250 tons—official figures in both eas-es. Under the old box hive system a yield of 10 or 121b. of sulphured honey from a box was considered good; now we get in some instances 10 tons from 100 hives. Some of our beekeepers will, I expect, raise the outnut to 30 tons or more this season. If I were 70 instead of over 80 I would be into beekeeping again like a shot. I have lived long enough to realise my loss through age."