PRICE OF EGGS

Chronicle (Levin), 23 January 1947, Page 4

PRICE OF EGGS

«. Cabinet Stateraent Soon POULTRY KEEPERS' CLAIMS The poultry-keepers' elaim for an increase in the price of eggs to offset alleged high overhead costs has heen investigated hy the Stabilisation Board, and its 'recommendations are now in the hands of the Government. This was revealed "by the superintendent of poultry husbandry, Mr. C. F. Bobby, when speaking at a special meeting of distriet poultry men in Levin on Monday. Mr. Bobby added that the decision now rested with Cabinet, and that •an announcement would be made within the next ten days or. fortnight. He added -that he personally considered that poultrymen had -a case. If assistance was lecomrnended the Government would have to decide whether it would tak'e the form of a subsidy or a direct increase in retail prices. It was .unfortunate that the matter had been delayed, but poultrymen should remember that they approached the stabilisation authorities at a time when an elecfion had just been held, 'and the h.oliday period was commcncing. When the claim had .originally been made no v^ritten proof to substantiate it had been submitted. The board eould not take veroal evidence that the industry was unable to cope with increased costs. It had to have before it clear evidence -on a national basis. Accordingly, it had demanded that this ftrst be produced. Feed Supplies ■* It was well known that the industry had suffered as the r.esult of a national shortage of feed. This had been accentuated by trouble at the wharves, and the hold up in supplies from'Australia due to internal transport trouble there. As a ■result, the Government had endeavoured to obtain as much feed as possible and direct it to where it was most needed. It was hoped, he said, to have the standard mash in distribution again very soon. It had never been .claimed, he added, that the standard mash was the foest type of feed for poultry, but it was the best that was otatainable at the time. No guarantee could be given of future supplies of feed. It was impossible ±o forecast what .the next 12. months would hold as there was a big call for wheat throughout the world. New South Wales, normally a large wheat producing state, had been forced to import wheat last year. The New Zealand Government was watchhig the position very closely and was trying to keep the industry going between Australian fooats. Nothing could be promised, however, as the position literally changed in 24 hours. One hopeful aspect of the case was that New Zealand was behind in its orders -from Australia last year, ancl it was understood that this was to be made up. Asked why flour had been imported from Australia and the valuable -ibi-products, pollard and bran, lost to the poultry industry in consequence, Mr. Bobby said the Government and wheat committee had fought against its importation, but had been told by the Australian Government that they wxmld have to take it. Everything was being done to avoid taking flour, and he assured those present that not sufficient to embarras the industry had been imported. Now that wheat supplies were arriving, there would be no question of taking flour. During a discussion on the availability of wheat from the Karitane, now berthed at New Flymouth, Mr. Bobtoy statcd that the ship had originally been diverted from Wellington to expedite its handling. Some had been unloaded and distributed among Taranaki poultry-keepers, who were in even worse straits. Difficulty had been obtained in securing railway trucks for tne transportation . of the wheat to other cehtres. At least 400 were required and these were unobtainable at the moment. It might" yet be found necessary to revert the ship back to Wellington. Need for Co-operation The meeting, which was presided over by Mr. J. Siddall in the absence of Mr. A. W. Parton, was attended by a large representation of distriet poultry-keepers. The aim of those present should be to get as much of the grain from the Australian shipment into the distriet as possible, after which co-operation among those engaged in the industry was necessary in order to ensure that no one was forced to kill off birds, said Mr. Siddall. He informed those present of their individual allocations from the Karitane shipment, which had been compiled by the feed committee. Unfortunately, the committee was not in possession of sufiicient information to guaran te.e equitable distribution, and producers would have to co-operate and help each other over periods ,of shortage. Co-operation between the merchants and the PoultryKeepers' Association would alleviate many difflculties and help towards a mor-e equitable distribution. They did not wish. to interfere with the merchant's method of distribution among his customers, 'hut thougnt that perhaps an arrangement could be reached wliereby they could advise merchants where cuts could be made, or additional supplies were necessary. It was a case where everyone shouia get fogether . and help one another. He satd he was pieased Mr. Bobby had found time' to attend- the meeting and hear the views of the local poultry breeders. Mr. Bobby ,-said he was extremely pieased to , see the unity that existed amoj.ig tlie poultry-keepers of the distrf.ct. Such co-operation

was the only means of salvation, and he was pieased to see meetings of that sort being held. He intimated that he would give them every support and assistance. At the -close of the meeting it was agreed that Mr. J. Allen be appointed Distriet Feed Controller in the absence of Mr. A. W. Parton.