1920
The first issue of The New Zealand Beekeepers’ Journal for 1920 brought a substantial change in appearance. The Editor had the journal printed on an improved grade of paper, much whiter in appearance, and would now provide a small photograph on the cover of each issue. The first photo was of his own home apiary in Katikati, Bay of Plenty.
The subject of apiary boundaries, the proposal that sites should be restricted to avoid overstocking or overcrowding. Mr I Hopkins and Mr James Allan continued their strong opposition to the proposals, with Mr RH Nelson and Mr A Ireland as primary proponents.
The HPA continued to appeal for support from beekeepers. Advertisement titled “Civil War in New Zealand” and “Outbreak of Hostilities – A Warning to the New Zealand Beekeeper” painted a dire picture of the consequences of failing to support the co-operative movement. The return of speculators to the honey markets in the post-War period was bringing renewed attempts to offer high prices in order to attract producers, with the offers being withdrawn after only a few weeks, according to the HPA.
Conference in 1920 was held in Christchurch, the first national conference to be held on the South Island. The Conference was held at the Concert Hall of the YMCA, and was held from 9 to 11 June, a return to the three day conferences of years past. Mr W Watson (Geraldine) was elected President, Mr EW Sage (Ohaupo) as Vice President. Executive elected were Mr R McKnight (Domett), Mr AH Davies (Hamilton), Mr AR Bates (Kaponga) and Mr L Irwin (Woodlands). Among other controversial discussions was the proposal to levy beekeepers £1 each in order to fund the provision of more apiary inspectors. The Minister did not favour the proposal, suggesting instead a proportionate tax of £1 for commercial beekeepers and 5/- or 10/- for the small man or those who did not sell honey.
A controversial advertisement appeared in the July issue of the journal. It purported to offer queen bees from the Isle of Wight for sale! The advertisement stated it was only a matter of time before the Isle of Wight disease (called “Disappearing Trick” in Australia) would reach New Zealand. Stocking hives with bees from strains that had withstood the disease was said to be a means of preparing oneself for the “greatest scourge which has ever struck the industry”. The advertisement was placed by “Schroeder & Schmitt”.
The next issue of the magazine revealed the Editor had received considerable comment! He had received wires from the President, Executive and the Apiary Instructors! He denied being the person who inserted the advertisement, maintaining it had come from “a member of the National and a valued contributor to the Journal.” In a letter in a later journal, they denied the advertisement was simply a “practical joke” but maintained they had placed the advertisement as “the most forcible and efficient way of bringing to the notice of New Zealand beekeepers the very urgent and vital need of having laws in operation governing the importation of queen bees from infected countries”. Within several months, such legislation was in place!
The Dominion’s first automatic foundation machinery was installed at the “Acorn” factory for handling wax in continuous sheets or ribbons.
Mr A Ireland publicly resigned from the National in a letter to the Editor in the September magazine. He cited “studied opposition and discourtesy” from the President (Mr James Allan) when he was presenting the case for apiary boundaries to Conference.