FOWL FOOD SHORTAGE

Chronicle (Levin), 8 January 1947, Page 4

FOWL FOOD SHORTAGE

PouItrymen Want Say ln DisbWoii The serious predicament which is facing poultry-keepers throughout New Zealand owing to a shortage of feed, may be temporarily relieved with the arrival in Wellington this week of a shipmeht of wheat from South Australia. This. was announced at a special meet-= ing of poultry-keepers caiied by the president of the Levin Registered Poultry-Keepers' Association, Mr. A. W. Pai'ton, yesterday. The main reason for the meeting, said Mr. Parton, was to conduct an open discussion on the situation eenerally, and to gain an estimate of what supplies were held by local poultrymen, and what immediate requirements were necessary to them in view of the anticipated shipment of supplies from Australia. From enquiries he had made, nothing definite could . be promised anyone at the moment. The clearing of the Karitane, which might berth today, was a matter of speculation in view of the present disturbance among the wharf labourers. One report he had heard intimated that none of the wheat would be delivered exship, but would be stored and distributed "in dribs and drabs." What poultrymen in this district had to ensure was that an equitable discribution was made. He proposed that he proceed to Wellington this week and discuss the matter with the Food Distribution Cominittee and find out what was happening to the present shipment. "As consumers we want to know where it is going, whether it is to be discributed as grain or in the form of a mash, and see that it is carefully handled and is not going into wrong channels," added Mr. Parton. We must make every endeavour to see we get all we can, and not justwait and trust to luck. If we ensure an equitable distribution we shall have achieved something." To ensure success he urged that they "stick together" and: cooperate to the full extent, At present they were living from day to day, and he anticipated that the next month would be a very difficult period for poultrymen. It was hoped, he said, that the New Zealand crop would be available" soon, but it was just half of what was needed. Of the 17 poultrymen who attended the,meeting an individual questionnaire revealed that few had sufficient to last them more than several days. "I ordered 100 sacks recently," said one farmer. "I received 20 bags, which lasted only 20 days." He added that he had been forcea to dispose of 450 birds as a result of the serious • position in which he had been placed. "I have no supplies - of mash at all and have two bags of wheat for 2,000 birds." Nearly all present had similar complaints. Another said he had paid £2 for a sack of wheat. He had cancelled all orders for pullets in consequence of the high price merchants were charging and the gravity of the present situation, which he claimed was approaching a crisis. General dissatisfaction at the present situation was expressed. "What is all this going to lead up to?" asked one poultryman present. "Are we going to have to call meetings 1-ike this every time a wheat ship comes in." He said he had heard that this shipment represented only about 2,000 tons. and that the distributing authoidties would be imposing a 50 ner cent. cut on each consumer's normal Requirements. Some dissatisfaction was also expressed at the attitude of many poultry-keepers in the district, who were alleged -to be hoarding supplies. A decision was made that Mr. Parton be authorised to proceed to Wellington and investigate the future of the anticipated supply, and enquire into the possibility of future consignments from Australia. . Mr. Parton also intimated that he would endeavour to contact the Director-rGeneral of Agriculture, and Feed Controller, Mr. E. J.-Faw-cett, to whom he would present the case of the district poultrymen, and endeavour to secure his backing. ■ During the meeting mention was also made that the Wheat and Flour Controller, Mr. R. Mcpherson, had returned from Australia, where he had been negotiating with the Australian Government with a , view to obtaining assured supplies , from that countrv.