COMMERCIAL SUICIDE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1079, 18 March 1911, Page 10

COMMERCIAL SUICIDE.

(By T. H. Rutherfurd.)

Tho greater the reform, the greater the opposition. This is a corollary few will deny, and tlio Egg Circle movement is hut another instance. During 'the last few months it has been my privilege to visit many poultrymen, and, in no case, that I can recall, have I heard any solid reason set forth to show why egg circles should not bo established. True, there have been many minor objections raised, but they only show to me more clearly why - tho "aims and objects" need to be demonstrated to these doubtiiig "Thomases."

I feel perfectly convinced that,, once these principles aro thoroughly grasped, the poultrymen of this Dominion will sink all the petty objections now thrown out to us. I- have, on a. 1 former occasion, dealt with the objection, known as the "Top-Price," showing that this is purely a matter of comparison only, and Mr. Leger, of Levin,' has treated tho matter in a very able article. r . A very common argument brought up is that many object'to"'join an egg circle because the rules state that "all eggs must go through the society, except those required for. one's own consumption." These worthy persons'/do not like giving up old customers—a very natural feeling, too—but what is there to prevent clients obtaining- the samo quality-through-tho circle, or, perhaps, still get their eggs direct from the samo farm, by an order through the secretary of the circle?

Another argument which wo hear, is that it won't pay. "There is" (say some) "ten shillings to become a member, ten shillings or so for' a crate, commission for selling the eggs, and, in somo instances, a small charge made for collecting from the suppliers' doors." AVe are further told' that tho grosef will call every week, and collect tho eggs without: any fuss or • bother, arid that it is not worth ivhilo bothering about. In another district, agents .buy up the eggs,' mako no charge, a lid giyo the AVellington quoted prico, less one penny per dozen. . ....... It is, at first sight, very easy to see why, in the latter case, producers patroniso tho agents. They can show just as good results as members of circles and that without any expense. What is it all worth, after all? .-If there was a guarantee that no less a prico would bo obtained in future years, well and good. There is the crux of tho question; it is not .for a moment to ba supposed that where buyers may bo giving producers, to-day," sav, Is. 5d per dozen, that they will *givo\that tiguro twoh's months hence, .should eggs be only realising (possibly) less than a ■ shilhng at auction. It is to steady this fall, as far as wo can, that wo need to combine.

Again wo find, many who heartily approve of tho movement, yot hesitate ; to join because .they see, plainly enough", that until a : largo ' number of circlos aro formed,- and they -aro' individually strongly supported, there is - a possibility of their' returns • being, less than under their 'present conditions. Th\s is so with some, and all praise and honour to thBS6 liioiieOrs''who ; li'ivii'the pluck to fight for their,rights, and the uplifting of the poultry industry. Yet, if only the other poultrymen would realise that all that remains to bo dono is to act likewise. That courco must immedialfcly regulate and control the market, and, instead of a few having to bear the brunt of tho battle, 110 ono would bo tho losor, but all'would bo gainers.. ■ .

I am told that j-ou will never get the farmers to : co-operate. Nonsense! I refer you to the co-operative' dairy lactones. Then it is further-said that poultry, often, is quite a side line, and, in many cases, the farmer feeds'.his fowls practically for nothing, and so is qnito indifferent to what his eggs are sold for. I find, however, that this is not quite correct. Farmers certainly would prefer to get, say, Is. Gd-. for their eggs, instead of, perhaps, Is. 3d., even if it did cost one or two pence moro (for a little while) to bring about this state of affairs. Also, it must be remembered that, being a member of a circle, tho farmer has tho handling of the cash which his eggs bring in» instead of having the amount credited to his account at the grocer's. There is a further loss, too, in many, cases. The farmer, does not always have tho ready cash, and so books his stores, for which privilege ho will pay an additional price,' whereas, if lie* received cash for his eggs, he would bo free to buy whero he liked, and be decidedly more independent. It is said, too, with much truth, that owing to tho comparatively good times ivhich farmers are expecting, they are not at , all interested in. the sale of a few. eggs. Farmers, let me tell you this: Times have an unpleasant habit of changing their ways, and a day may cfimo when you will wish that you had paid more attention to marketing of your eggs. This sheer indifference is commercial suicide. The law will not let an individual attempt to tako his own life,

unpunished, and I fail to see why those who are struggling to better the industry should liave to suffer for thoso who will persist in ignoring' the warnings repeatedly thrown out,, though this appears to be, from timo immemorial, the order of things. Farmers, givo the Egg Circle a year's trial, and then cry out if it fails to meet with your approval. You are having good t'iiiies now, and a pecuniary tuillo to join is nothing to you. Give your sons andj daughters a chance, by letting them' become members, and seo how thoy como out of the venture. What many of you have done for the dairy'industry your children may do for poultry, and, indirectly, of course, for tho whole Domimon.