PRIVATE EGG SALES

Chronicle (Levin), 17 April 1947, Page 4

PRIVATE EGG SALES

Levin Poultrymen Urged To Cease Practise ■ A guarantee that they would send at least, 75 per cent. of their eggs to the Wellington distrihuting floor was made on Tuesday night by ,14 poultry-keepers in the Levin district. The decision was taken following an appeal by Mr. J: W> McConnon, of the Internal Marketing Divibion, who was speaking on behalf and at . the request of the Natiohal Egg Marketing Advisory Committee. On the suggestion of two prominent poultrymen, Messrs. J. R. Siddall and A. Larsen, the following motion was carried unanimously: "That this meeting of Levin poultry-keepers, having heard from representatives of the Naticmal Ega Marketing Commit-

tee, all present resolve to send at least 75 per cent. of their supply of eggs to the distribut'ing floor in Wellington." In the course of his appeal, Mr. McConnan said that on the basis of one egg per butter ration, plus priofities, wellington required 35,000 dozen eggs weekly. Priorities alone amounted to 14;000 dozen. The supply of eggs to the floor 'had dropped considerably. .Last week the Internal Marketing Division had been unable to meet even the priority demand, and the outlook for next week was very black. As a result there was a possibility that the hospital would be without feggs. In their own interests the industry should diseourage "back gate" selling of eggs. If it could not ensure adequate suppli.es for • at least priority demands, the Government might he forced to import eggs from Australia. As eggs from this source could be landed in New Zealand at a considerably cheaper price to the conisumer, the move would b'e a disastrous one for the industry. The- poultry-keepers were receiving a substantial ^subsidy from the people to produce eggs, but the public were still not getting them, continued Mr. McConnan. It was a well-known fact that poultry-keepers were selling their ^ggs Tocally and this would have to stop if the producers wished to safeguard their own industry. During the next few months its future would be at stake, and the importation of .eggs might have far Teaching effects. He did not want to see the industry go under, and it was for that reason that he was mnking this appeal. He was personally very worried about the situation. It was up to the indusry itself.to give all the assistance possible and get all the eggs it could through the floor, at least during the next few months. "The solution to the difficulty is in. your own hands. If no action is taken I'll be able to buy eggs, and at a cheaper price, but there'd be no poultry industry," he added. "I am very worried because the industry has fallen down at the wrong time. I am confident that the feed position will improve 'next year. There are indications that the Austraiian harvest will be a really good one, and there is more wheat being grown in New Zealand. If we can get over this period, I see a bright future ahead for the poultry industry in * this country." New Zealand cities were growing up and becoming intensely populated by people who were unable to keep fowls. There would be an ideal outlet for all the eggS the industry could produce. The facts, however, remained that supolies to the Wellington floor were down by 265,162 dozen. Something had to be done. Writing on the Wall "The writing i is on the wall. There is no question about that, and from this week all eggs produced on ■ my farm are going to Wellington," said the president of •;he Levin Registered PoultryXeepers' Association, Mr. A. W. Barton, when introducing the guest speaker: "It is our bounden duty now to get all the eggs we can to the distributing floor. We may .be doing so at a loss, but, nevertheless, we will have to sit up 'and play the game," he continued. The people of the Dominion were crying out for eggs, and the producer had to ensure that an equal distribution was made, and that all received a fair deal. He was confident that as far as the majority of the district poultry-keepers were concerned ohere was no gross black marketing going on. The back door saies were made at the current retail price, and bythis methodno benefit was derived from the subsidy, which .applied only to eggs passing through the distributing floor. It was, however, more profitable to the farmer to adopt the method of selling eggs from the farm.Several of those present expressed the view that they were quite willing" to comply with the regulations, providing the others in the ihdustfy did. It was the small man just starting out that was • 'bardest hit, contended one producer. With the high overhead costs existing today it would need a guarantee of 5s a dozen to see them through, he added. When thanking those present tot the action they had- taken, Mr. McConnan said he hoped all other producers in the country would take the same attitude. "It is up to .all of you now to bring all those who are not. at this meet- : ing to the same " undjerstanding. It is entirely in your hands to see that they 'toe the line.' " Oher speakers were Mr. R. Gowdry of the I.M.D. and Mr. - J. i N. Little, producer member of the Poultry Board.