1938
It wasn’t until the Labour Government took office that any actions were taken on the issue of a single authority for both local and export markets. In 1938 the recently formed Internal Marketing Division took over NZ Honey Ltd’s business and plant at valuation. NZ Honey Ltd was wound up by paying back all shares and capital and 6d per pound pro rata on all honey supplied in the last year of its operations.
Producers approved the official announcement that the IMD would accept marketing responsibility for honey. The Primary Products Marketing Act passed in December 1938 gave the legislative authority to put into place the changes proposed by the producers.
The Honey Control Board considered that an advertising campaign emphasising the food value of honey was necessary, especially in light of successively good producing seasons. As non-suppliers to the IMD were obtaining the ‘shelter’ of the improved and stable marketing conditions the IMD provided, it was felt they, too, should contribute. The Board felt that all producers selling outside of the IMD should be required to affix a stamp on containers of honey on the basis of 1/2d per pound. The Board felt that compulsory acquisition of the entire crop was not necessary, allowing beekeepers in marginal areas to dispose of lower grade honeys in their own territories. It was felt that soon the Cawthron Institute would find a process that can be commercially applied to eliminate undesirable flavours in honey.
The Honey Control Board formally passed over its export trading powers to the Internal Marketing Division. The Board, in the advisory capacity to the Minister of Marketing, would assist the IMD on technical advice in the construction of plant and in further improving the methods of handling and processing all honey that came under the control of the IMD.