THE APIARIES ACT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 220, 11 June 1920, Page 10

THE APIARIES ACT

BEEKEEPERS DEMAND STRICT ENFORCEMENT.. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christehurch, June 30. The Beekeepers' Conference to-day passed the following resolution:—"That the Apiaries Act as at present administered has not Accomplished the primary object for which it was placed upon tlio Statute Book.' It is certain that foul brood, the ecourge which costs the benkeepingi industry thousands in. tho attempt to combat it, is rapidly on tho increase, due in large measure to tho under-staffing of the Department vhicn has to administer tTie Act. Tho annua! loss .in capital and production due to the ravages of the disease runs into many thousands of pounds. This conference submits that in view of the necesfcily for increased production the Ims ' mentioned is a national one, and all reasonable nleans must be tnken to stop the loss. We submit, nay more, we demand as a right, that the provisions of the Apiaries Act shall be immediately pxit-into force; that a chief apiaries instructor bo appointed. wtee duty shall bo to sen that the Act is carried out; tliali a Buffirient number of field officers bo appointed to assist him in carrying out his duties; that tho sole duties of theso field officers shall be the elimination of the disease in tho district to which they are appointed.'' The conference also decided to request tho Government to place an annual tax of ,£1 on each person keeping 1 T>e?s .in the Dominion, sue'h tax to be used in the payment of the additional inspectors for the prevention of foul brood and. for Departmental and instructional purposes.