1929
23 December 1929
Beekeepers' Worries
MEETING AT RYLSTONE HONEY PRODUCERS' ASSOCIATION
Mr. S. P. Paddison, hon. secretary of the Association, writes, under date 11/12/29.
The usual monthly meeting of The Western District Honey Producers' Association of N.S.W. was held in the Temperance Hall, Rylstone, on Saturday, December 7. The secretary reported the visit of the Board's inspector, who, so far as could be gathered, visited the president, treasurer, and secretary. The reason of his visit, they presumed, was to get the strength of the Association. Asked what benefits beekeepers were to get from conscription, he stated that we would be benefited by the small beekeeper getting a higher price for his goods. This was all, so it looks as if these alleged benefits are going to cost the beekeeper considerably more than they may be worth. The most pleasant note struck was when the secretary read a letter from Goulburn beekeepers stating that as a branch of the Apiarists Association they had disbanded, and formed the Southern District Honey Producers' Association. This news was received with acclamation, and a letter from Windeyer announcing a branch of the Western District H.P.A. was also warmly received. A letter from a Mudgee beekeeper asking for assistance in forming a branch was also received and it was unanimously decided to support the Mudgee men in forming a branch. A letter was read from Condobolin and the writer enclosed his subscription fee and promised further support in any action the association might take in ridding the Industry of the Honey Board. Correspondence from Wagga stated that while N.S.W. Beekeepers were bound down to sell at certain prices, Victorian honey was being supplied from there to Albury at lower rates, and the unfortunate conscripts of this State have to stand aside and see their local market taken from them. One beekeeper at the meeting gave it as his opinion that whereas was observed opossums, an open season should be declared for politicians, and that if the country was rid of these meddlers peace and prosperity might again reign. Judging by the tone of letters received from beekeepers from practically all over the State the Marketing Act is regarded as a curse, and politicians at next election will have a lively time from apiarists. Honey, it was pointed out, was no cheaper now to the consumer and prices no better to the producer, so wherefore the necessity of supporting the Board and the agents, who between them take an extra 'rake off' of 11½ per cent., amounting to 3/5½d per tin of honey. The president again urged all beekeepers to unite and help the Association to rid the industry of this incubus.
S. PADDISON, Hon. Sec1
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1930
5 February 1930
'TERRIFIC LEVY'
BEEKEEPERS DISSATISFIED BOARD'S INTERFERENCE
The hon. secretary, Western Honey Producers' Union, Mr. S. Paddison, writes: - The letter from the secretary of the Honey Board ('Guardian' 15/1/30) calls for comment. Will the Board explain the reason of the exorbitant charge of 10 per cent., and 1½ per cent, extra commission to agents, plus cartage, which will bring the total Board charges to over 12 per cent., which, added to the agents' usual 5 per cent, makes our selling costs over 17 per cent. The Queensland Board is functioning at no extra cost to beekeepers. The selling agent there is still charging the same commission, viz., 7½ per cent., as before the advent of the Board. Out of this commission he hands back to the Board 1½ per cent, to cover all Board expenses. In addition local sales of honey there are free from tax. Jt is high time that the Board came from under cover and justified (if it can) the terrific levy. Sitting tight and inviting Honey Producers' Associations to send delegates to Sydney to meet them in conference will not meet the situation. It would cost the Beekeepers' Association quite £40 to send delegates, and, although such a sum may be regarded by the Board, with its huge revenue, as a mere bagatelle, still, to the struggling apiarists faced with one of the worst seasons on record, and highest selling costs (thanks to the Board), it is too large an amount to be expended for such a doubtful gain. Last season, with ten times the production, we could sell to a private buyer for 24/6 per tin, spot nett cash, on rail Rylstone, where as the same grade of this season's honey has been classed by the Board's grader in the 25/- per tin class, and will only nett the unfortunate producer about £1 per tin. Had there been no Board to interfere between buyer and seller, producers could have sold for about 27/- per tin this season.
Your correspondent states that notices were sent to 7500 beekeepers, but he did not state that only 364 voted to bring this Board into existence. When less than 5 per cent. can enslave over 95 per cent. for three years, and also make them lose money, it is time to organise and show politicians that their experimental legislation is not going to be endured by beekeepers in silence. How would these meddling legislators like a Board to 'rake off' over 12 per cent. of their salaries? We appeal to all beekeeepers to join our Association and thus help to rid the Industry of the incubus. Rylstone, 20/1/302
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