THE POLTRY INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1515, 10 August 1912, Page 3

THE POLTRY INDUSTRY

(£y Cbantecler.)

Export Trade. 'Some writers are discouraging the export trade of poultry, and one liears that their knowledge of the indasfcrj is not great. There one pl£niy of piodaosis wlio are giving good advice, on practical j>oulrr.Y-xiusiii& but, when it eomes to tha ooinnierftia'l side of the subject, they are at sea. Tie danger is that tfe are jinuie to neglect the provision of a, market, so thai, in tho tuuo of cheap prices, have no outlet.' The time is not fju distant, in the writer's opinion, when eggs will be down to Bd. a dozen in summer, and, if this is not a cause for alarm in the development of an industry, ens does not know how to view it. Had we tho experience of a market for an export trade then we could relievo the pressure, and keep tho prices up to a payable position. In the matter of table poultry, it is true, wo are not over supplied, and tho chief cause is that' when wo had a bountiful supply prices wero so cheap, and gave such littlo encouragement to producers that many of them gave up catering for tho business. Thousands of chicks have been killed off as soon as thoir sex was determined, because it did not pay to raise them for tho table. The duck market in New Zealand is at present very unpromising, and tho cause is not far to seek. Two years ago ducks were sold by tho thousand at from 2s. to 4s. per pair. This did not pay for the food consumed in raising them. The result was that growers on every hand gave up the business, and now we have the great shortage that exists to-day. In the open Auckland market ducks are now bringing 7s. to 9s. per. pair. Had wo had an export market two years ago the birds could have been, shipped and purchased at a price payable to producers. For lack of it, we have the result as we find it to-day. One cannot help repeating that there are few men in New Zealand who understand the commercial side-of the poultry business, and this is one of the objections which the writer, in previously referring to the hasty formation of ■ a co-operative association, has endeavoured to set out. Co-operation. This subject is still receiving attention. One writer has suggested that a plebiscite vote of the producers be taken throughout tho Dominion as to whether they are in favour of Mr. Ferguson's scheme, or not. The idea has much to commeftd it, because the essential basis on which a company could bo formed i» the perfect unanimity of all ponltrymen. It is useless wasting ouo'3 time and energy in the formation of a partiallysupported scheme. There are many difficulties to overcome, but the greatest of all is want of unity. If one could rely upon all the producers, supporting the movement, as the dairymen are doing in their own line,, the , poultry industry in New Zealand would be transformed in a very Ehort time. It is this initiativo work that must bo put in order. We may, of course, contribute through an expression of ideas; but something practical willhave to be taken'in handbefore co-operation will make much. ,progress. The writer: is out to help the industry,' but. progress must bo • on ._ approved lines, and practical suggestions must play a heavy part. Experience has taught us the danger.of. trusting to-the uninitiated; of listening to-the. easy flow of language that comes from, tho enthusiast, '■ of treating lightly the'many-difficul-ties 'that have to be surmounted. In establishing a business, co-operation is no doubt a good system, and, when adhered to, as is done by the pouU;rymen in Denmark, it can.accomplish great things. " ; .; Reform- From Wjtnln. 7 In addition to tho need Tor a co-opera-tive principle for the betterment of the poultry industry, ■ there is also the need for reform .anipn'g producer?.. . la the matter of supplying eggs for the market, sufficient-caro is not taken, and tho public are not safeguarded against doubtful eggs. Many producers who would Bcorn to be accused of unscrupulous principles, nevertheless, neglect to take the care that is needed to see, that all eggs are fit for consumption. In the matter of grading, cleaning,, and sending eggs to market strictly fresh, there remains much

to be done. The same remark may also bo applied in the sending out of stock or eggs for setting, although tho need is becoming more pressing for each producer to bxp only the best, in order to guard his reputation. The Deputation. Thoro is good indication that the Prime Minister will favourably consider tho proposals of tho deputation that ho has promised to rccoivo on August 26. The members of tho deputation will all bo practical men, and largo poultry producers. They will meet in Wellington on the morning of tho 26th, to discuss matters prior to going before tho Prime Minister. The export trade, and tho need of a purely experiment farm will be the chief articles of consideration. Wellington will bo represented by three producers from tho Lower Hutt, Messrs. Knight, Mumby, and Ferguson. Hawko'a Bay will be represented by Mr. W. C. Davis, of Napier. Tho Canterbury, Auckland, and Otago representatives aro all practical men. A WINNEH OF COMPETITIONS., The Egg-laying Competitions for 1910-lt and 1911-12 were both won by pens reared on "A. and P." Chick Raiser. The first essontia! for profitable poultry keeping. Obtainable from all StorekeeDers. ,