POULTRY CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2429, 7 April 1915, Page 8

POULTRY CONFERENCE

THIRD DAY'S SITTING , EXPORTS & IMPORTS OF EGGS \ The conference of delegates to the .Noav Zealand Poultry Association was r Concluded yesterday. The new president vof the association., Mr. G. Finn, was ' in the chair. ' *. Delegates continued the discussion of 'tie rules and constitution of the association, and eventually after various amendments and redrafting they were adopted. The election of officers was continued, the following being selected for the executive board:—Messrs. WilloughbyKnight, A. G. Mnmbjr,;E. Gallichan, S. H- Scott, and E. W. Griffiths. It was • also decided that the members of the Executive Board form the conference committee. Other officers were elected as follow:—Assistant secretary, Mr. F. -H. Cooper, and auditor Mr. Kenn. An Important Question. 1 The report of the Export of Eggß Committee (whicli was published yester- ' day) was responsible for an interesting 'discussion regarding the failure in the first shipment of- eggs from New Zealand to Vancouver. After reading his report on the matter, Mr. Cooper said that he was sure that for three or four ■ years at any rate there would not ba another attempt at the organised ex- • portation of eggs. Mr. Cooper also quoted a letter la ihad received from Messrs. Kirkland Hose, of Vancouver, which referred to the condition in which the first shipment of eggs arrived in Vancouver, and -tho cause of the mouid on a considerable portion of the same. Referring to . ..the temperature at which' the eggs were carried from New Zealand, the writers stated that they had been informed by the steamship company that the cold chamber on tho ship had been kept at a uniform temperature of 36 degrees. This, in their opinion, was quite too 'high, and was the cause of moisture. The writer understood that the pipes in the cold chamber of the Niagara were not insulated, and that the condensation formed on these pipes dropped oh the cases. When the consignment was 'discharged the cases were found to be t very wet and the fillers saturated ffith inoistuie.

: Speaking on the matter, Mr. Hawko considered that the association should (endeavour to get the Government to put ■producers' eggs to tests to ascertain the test method of exporting eggs. This step was very necessary, as there was always a possibility of a glut in the market, and the producers needed the safety valve of export. : Mr. Hnwke moved accordingly. 1 Mr. Gallichan was of opinion that tho matter was one for the closest investigation for the next year. Speaking about importation of eggs, Mr. Gallichan said this was also going to be a most important, question. The.Prime •Minister should be approached on the matter. Eggs imported from any country Should, as suggested by Mr. Mumby, be stamped. Both the egg export' report and the finance report were adopted. : Finance. Thereport of the.Finance Committee stated that for'the first time in the history of the association it oould show a credit balance at the end of the financial jrea'r, the amount being £17:18s. 4d. His success; was; almost entirely due to the official organ, "The New Zealand Poultry Journal." It was felt, however,, that., some effort should' be made fe, co P.?jf!. or . a ' ) ly. increase the association's finance.- Under the .present circumstances they could not launch' out into much good work or do any efficient organisation without individuals putting their hands in their 'pockets To help to - attain- this -object it was suggested that about 10,000 ciroulars be printed appealing to every r poultryinan to become a member , of; the.:;association. It. was also urged,.-on every member and delegate to endeavour to induce as many . poultrymen as . possible" in the-..' various districts to -become members ;of the ; association or affiliated bodies/ ■

Remits. The next business was-the discussion of various remits; Most of these concorned matters brought before the Prime , Minister by the deputation in the afternoon. The'following remit, proposed' by the : Now Plymouth Egg Circle, was carried: f "That this conference discuss the question of immediately forming co-operq- • tive egg circles (where not at present in existence) in the larger towns in the Dominion, as during the present year quantities of eggs have been purchased .by merchants at prices which are quite unprofitable to the producer." Visitors to the Conference. At the afternoon's session of the conference, Mr. F. S. Pope, Mr. C. J. Iteakes, and Mr. J. L Bruce, of the Agricultural Department, visited the conference and addressed those present. In welcoming the visitors, Mr. Finn remarked.that the present conference was undoubtedly the best ever held. The delegates present represented 3000, and this was evidence tliat the association ..was going ahead. The speaker went on to refer to various matters concerning the association, at tho present moment and the disabilities poultrykeepers were ' under in the ruling prices of foodstuffs. Messrs. S. H. Scott, H. M. Beddington, and C. Renn also welcomed the visitors. • In reply, Mr. Pope' referred in particular to the shortage of wheat. The shortage was likely to be a. big question which would be solved when the Allies got the Dardanelles open. The next speaker, Mr. C. J. Reakes, referred to the growth of the association's egg circles. Such circles were of great value in that it gave the small fioiiltrykeeper an opportunity to make lis association pay. The speaker realised that the poultrykeepers were under disabilities at the present time, with the high price of food, but, like Mr. Pope, he considered this prcblem would be solved when the Dardanelles was opened. Mr. Bruce also spoke. 1 The Poultry Standard. 'After waiting on the Prime Minister, tie conference discussed l the poultry standard. Mr. F. C. Brown addressed members on the question, and finally on the motion of Mr. Bull it was decided that Mr. Brown and the Utility Club bo asked to finish their report on the question and submit their proposals tlirough the Poultry Journal, so that tliey might eventually come before the next conference. In the evening Mr. F. C. Brown, Government Poultry Expert, delivered an interesting address in which he gavo many useful hints to beginners in the poultry industry. Previous to this address,' Mrs. H. M. Davey, the lady | delegate to the conference, gave an address entitled "How we Work Our Egg Circle." Mrs. Davey has previously demonstrated her ability as a platform speaker, and her address was listened to with evident interest. At easbc-

NEWS AND NOTES.

numbers of questions were answered, and votes of thanks passed to both of the 'speakers.