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Fertilizers During the year importations of sulphate of ammonia, sulphate of potash, and muriate of potash have again been under the control of the Department and substantial quantities have been landed to meet all requirements. These have been distributed through the normal wholesale and retail channels, but on the completion of shipments now coming to hand it has been decided that the importation and distribution of these fertilizers should revert to private channels as was the case prior to the Department in 1941 taking over the distribution on account of shortage of supplies due to war conditions. For many years all these fertilizers were under control and allocation of the International Emergency Food Council, but with an improvement in the supply position these have been decontrolled and this has been deemed an opportune time for the Government to relinquish the importation and distribution. HONEY SECTION During the past few years beekeepers have looked upon the Department as an outlet for honey they could not readily sell direct themselves. During the war years, owing to sugar shortages, there was an abnormal local demand for honey and beekeepers met this demand, thereby reducing the amount of honey received by the Department. This year beekeepers were asked to indicate whether the industry as a whole desired to retain a marketing organization, and various branches of the National Beekeepers' Association passed resolutions indicating that they desired the Honey Section of the Department to continue. Early in the season crop prospects appeared very good, but because of the weather the crop in some districts was well below normal. The Department received 370 tons of honey which was an advance on the receipts for the previous year when only 178 tons were received. The average grade of the honey, however, was much below that of previous years. The advance payment was 7d. a pound pro rata according to grade, plus 2|d. per pound flat, plus a further bonus, bringing the total payment to lid. a pound. Sales during the year were : lb. Armed Services .. .. .. .. .. 10,426 Hospitals .. .. .. .. .. .. 37,080 Naval and shipping .. .. .. .. .. 8,673 Manufacturing services .. .. .. .. 270,022 Sundries .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,146 Total.. .. .. .. .. 331,347 Honey sent to England for sale .. .. .. 174,000 Honey held for shipment to England for sale .. .. 81,200 Honey Marketing Committee The election of members of this committee was held during the year and the following members were appointed : Mr. E. A. Field .. .. . . Producer elected representative. Mr. F. D. Holt .. .. .. Producer elected representative. Mr. W. W. Nelson .. .. Producer elected representative. Mr. A. C. Bridle .. .. Government nominee (Chairman). Mr. C. R. Ridding .. .. Government nominee. Recommendations on various matters affecting the industry have been submitted by the Committee for consideration.

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