NEW ZEALAND HONEY

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1932, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND HONEY

CONTINENTAL SALES. LONDON. Returning the other day from a business visit to the Continent, in connexion with the sale of New Zealand honey, Air H. W. Castle, of Alessis C. and E. Morton, Limited (who handle the New Zealand Control Board’s output in Great Britain and Europe) reports : “Eight months ago on my return from a, visit to Germany, 1 stated that the position was infinitely worse than on my previous visit, and that in my opinion another acute financial (anu possibly political) crisis was impending, it is now known that the financial crisis has arisen and Germany lias askeu for the summoning of the Advisory Committee of the Young Plan. “In Berlin 1 found very few people in restaurants and cabarets, and the majority of those present were foreign visitors. In the streets persons soliciting alms were numerous. Germany cannot pay her external debt- o’ her than in goods; and in common ia! eireins there is no faith in Ha* mark There is dread of the country being forced off the gold standard and the mark becoming valueless. It seemed somewhat ironical therefore to be able to obtain only 15 marks for a £1 note! The political situation is unstable: the Hitlerites are steadily gaining strength at the expense of the Moderates, and the Communists are recruiting from the Socialists. The sale of New Zealand honey under such conditions is almost impossible, and we still have to ‘mark time.’

Difficult Times in Denmark. “Owing to the low prices received for her produce, particularly bacon (which is cheaper than for more than twenty years), the position in Denmark is none too happy, and farmers are passing through very bad times. Many farmers have been left derelict, and in an effort to stop the drift, the Government has now instituted a special tax on the rest of the community to be applied to the relief of the farmers. There is, however, still plenty of money in the country and there is not the slightest evidence of want. There is, rather, a general lowering of costs, particularly in restaurants, where a really good lunch can now be obtained for 2s against 3s 6d in the early part of the year.”