THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1527, 24 August 1912, Page 3

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

(By Chantecler.)

The "Agricultural Exhibit. Tho forty-seventh annual show of tho Christchurch Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Club was held on August 15, Iβ, and 17. Tho spacious Drill Shed was again brought into use. On entering the hall ono was struck with the splendid arrangement and colossal war in which the agricultural exhibit was prepared. Every branch of agriculture was represented. Blackboards around the walls indicated the value of these industries to Xew Zealand, and especially emphasising tho value of tho export trade (luring the pnj=t ten years. Hemp, mutton, lamb, wool, butter, and cheese were all there, representing their values in millions of pounds annually. To the onthusiast in poultrv these figures created a sense of disappointment, scarcely anyone who visited the poultry show could fail to note the absence of an export trade in eggs and poultry, and tor this exhibit to bo shown side by side with the hundreds of birds that represeiited the industry, made, the comparison ? t " e n moro disappointing. On speaking to an officer in charge of the exhibits, tho writer suggested that poultry and eggs would look well as an.additional placard. His reply was: "Why don't you up and at it? It was plain that, in his mind the reason of our non-progressive policy was to bo attributed to our want of interest in our own concerns. The Govornment will no doubt help those that help themselves. The present Government is thought to be not unfavourable. -There are many things m tho past which we are glad to forget, and we are. not a bit sorry that we can start with a clean sheet. As-Min-ister for Agriculture the Prime Minister may lend an encouraging car to poultrymen who wish to foster an export trade. There are not many industries in New Zealand left for the Government to develop, but the poultry business remains. Wo have precedence to guide us in other countries England is awakening to the possibilities of poultry culture, and it is now spending thousands of pounds each year to encourage the small farmer to take up the work, 'it feels that it. may just as well distribute its eight millions for eggs among its own people, as to giro them to foreign producers. In 'one State alone, in America, 00,000 dollars have been allotted to further prof«cute experimental work in poultry' culture. Canada, is feeling the pinch of an insufficient supply. -Australia is awakening to the great possibilities that lie before it in the production of egss and poultry. Will New Zealand be left behind? On Viewing the' Exhibits. On viewing (he splendid exhibit of tho Agricultural Department at the show, ono could not help being struck with the importance attached to the various departments of agriculture, excepting poultry. Tho fruit, with its experts, the honey, seeds, and their army of assistants appointed for these were on a most liberal scale compared with poultry. A few years ago wo had two experts, a clerk and offices, three grading depots, and four experimental farms. Now to-day we are reduced to a staff of one expert, with a small little office. In the matter of salary, ho gets a little more than a third of the salary of the fruit expert. i Indifference to Export. The indifference to tho export 'trade is marked. Several months ago the writer referred (o an excellent trial shipment of birds prepared for export. What became of them ? Did they ever leave tho country? They wero as fine a sample as any country could produce, and wero specially /fed and raised by the late Mr. Rose. Several of our readers have asked' us for information concerning these, but we are unable to give information concerning their fate. We have tried to secure the information, a= such .in' i"ri" r «y. ent attitude, deserves to be investigated.

What Will Be Done, In our next column we will give a report of the deputation of pouitiymen to the J rime Minister. At Hip prevent juncture we cannot express .an 'opinion as to tho attitude that will be taken in the matter ot helping the industry. Certain it is that every other' country is spending J.irgo sums of money annually to encourage tho industry. England is spending thousands this year to encourage the small farmer to raise the poultry and eggs for her own use, instead of spending her .£8,000,000 annually in the foreign market. Is this wisdom? Of cour.se it is. Tho wonder is she has been so indifferent to tlio matter for many vears. Her ohji suns of toil could add to their luxuries in life by raising eggs and poultry, and supporting the wants of her own people.