EXPORT OF HONEY .

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1926, Page 4

EXPORT OF HONEY .

COAIPLAINTS AGAINST BOARD. According to a letter received from the Westland Chamber of Commerce, and discussed last week by" the Council of the A nek la) id Chamber of Commerce. the costs of exporting honey through the Honey Control Board are so excessive, as to threaten to cripple the industry. The charges, according to the Westland Chamber, are so heavy that honey sold in London from 7d to Is per lb gives the producers under 4d per lb. The Minister of Agriculture had premised an inquiry, and the support of the Auckland Chamber for speedy action was sought. At the request of tlie executive a report on the matter had been prepared by a member of the council, Air A. Nofden. Tin's report pointed out that though the figures supplied l>y thd Westland Chamher appeared to be exagerated, their contentions were sound Under the Honey Control Board’s marketing policy it was impossible to obtain competitive values, as they eliminated f.o.b. and c.i.f. selling, all lioney being soldon consignment through their London agency. Since the Honey Control Board had asumed absolute control of all honey exported from New Zealand, they had increased the marketing charges to the producers by placing a levy of 1-156 d per lb to cover the working expenses of the board, plus Id per lb for advertising, plus (sav) 2 per cent additional commission and the net result was that the producers were now paying l-7Sd per Il> more in marketing costs since the inception of the Control Board.

It was decided to support the AVestland Cham herbs proposal for an early inquiry.—Auckland Star report.