POULTRYMEN CONFER

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2754, 25 April 1916, Page 9

POULTRYMEN CONFER

SECOND DAY'S PROCEEDINGS / ELECTION OF OFFICERS Delegates to the sixth annual Poultry Conference were welcomed by the Mayor (Mr. J, p. Luke) yesterday morning. In his remarks, Mr. Luke referred to the difficulties connected with shipping, and stated that praise should be given to the Prime Minister (the Hon. AY. F. Massey) for all that he had done to solve tlio extraordinary problem that had arisen. Ho asked what had beconio of the idea of exporting Now Zealand poultry, which it ' was thought would almost rival tho frozen meat industry? The conference, he l'olt sure, was out. for business, and did not meet only for pleasure. Mr. J. B. Merrett, in reply, said that it was not profitable to ship poultry to other countries because of the high price which eggs and poultry brought in this country. After discussing the question of imported American eggs (referred to in yesterday's issue), the conference resumed its discussion of tho order paper. Past President's Address. Mr. G. Finn, the retiring president, in his address, congratulated them' on the success that had* attended the introduction of these conferences. The first'conference was looked forward to with grave doubt. It was attended in a half-hearted sort of manner, and there was a noticeable lack of confidence as to the benefit to be derived from it. Had it not been for the persistence and energy displayed by their secrotary, who was also the promoter of it, he felt sure that' it would have died at an early age. The conferences had since become indispensable to the poultryinen of New Zealand. That it was wisely decided to bold tho conference this year was plainly shown by the gathering of delegates. When they assembled here' a year ago there was an air of excitement and uncertainty regarding tho war, and all hoped that beforo the next conference tho war would be over. The end setmiied to bo far off at present, but there was a noticeable change in their feelings. They were more reconciled, and' und settled down to business with perfect confidence in the result. He referred to the high price of feed and the fact that many had to sell off their ilocks, but lessons had been learnt, and they would benefit by tho experience. Pood prices were back to the pre-war •rqtes to-day, and tho demand for their produce was exceeding the supply. . He was pleased to say that some of their requests to the Government had been given effect to. Tho necessary legislation with regard to the marking of imported eggs was agreed to, and regulations in connection with this had been gazetted. Mr.. Finn also referred to the large sihipment of unstamped imported .American eggs which had come in by the Moana, and' said that he hoped to have, some more definite information from the Government regarding this matter. It .was certainly a surprise to members to find these unstamped eggs landed; but the Government had sail that regulations could not take effect on eggs which had bpen ordered before Fobri ary 22. The poultrymen hero realised tho necessity for combination,-and if all poultrymen would take up thismatter thoroughly, ho saw no reason why every producer m the Dominion should not bo enrolled and market his produce through some egg circle or..other'approved channel. This combination would not only place tho industry, on a better aild more secure foundation to the benefit of the producer, bu.t would also beuefit the consumer.' In the"matter of egg supply, there had bien a marked improvement during Tecent years, but tho manner of marketing and the condition of the eggs was not yet perfect, and left something to be desired. Some centres were paying more attention to this matter than others, but everywhere there was room for improvement, and. this was plainly evident after inspecting the packing of imported eggs. While consumers were Veing fairly well catered for in the matter of,eggs, lie was afraid this was not so in tho case of poultry for tho table. The supply at present might be equal to tho demand, but he was sure it would not' bsi so if the-tjuiality that was required could be obtained. It was not a question of price, but purely a matter of quality. He trusted this matter -would receive their consideration, and that some, improvement would be made in the ne ir future. The President's report was adopted. ! Necessity of Combination. Mr. A. G. Mumby read a paper ' on "The Necessity of Combination," the points of which appeared in> yesterday's Dominion. / , During the subsequent discussion various speakers referred to the high price of eggs'during the winter. Suggestions were made to the effect that' when eggs were plentiful certain quantities should be placed in cool storage and released during the winter. This would have a tendency ■to make eggs much cheaper at that time of the year. It was also suggested that the price- of eggs should be raised in the summer months, when they are plentiful. If this were done the price, could be better regulated in the winter. Other speakers advocated the stamping of every egg put on the market .in-New Zealand.

Mr. E. Gallichan sakl that, the Government should consider the proposal of establishing poultry experimental farms Hear every centre in New Zealand. Proper storage should be supplied, and then the public would not be exploited. The Government should . advance money through the Board of Agriculture to poultry farmers against stocks. This, could be made possible only by having storage supplied. Mrs, M'Kinnon (Waijganui) . warned those present against the danger of Chinese eggs coming into the Dominion. They had to bo watched the same as the American importations. During tho last few - weeks 8000 dozen Chinese lyolks had been landed here. She advocated sending Government inspectors to country districts more frequently, for every visit of an inspector did good. Mr. H. M. Boddington, prtsident-elect, said that an endeavour should be made to get every big firm to concentrate into one supply, and then there would be no monopoly. Mr. F. C. >Brown, Government Poultry Expert, gftve a short resunie of the, work the Government had accomplished ill the past to help the egg industry. People must bo educated up to certain standards. They could not ho oxpectcd to send eggs down to this and that depot in a proper marketing fashion unless they knew how to do it. Till their education in that direction was completed it was no good trying other schemes. Up to the present everything possible had been done by the Government to help the industry along. On tho question of forming centres, ho. thought that if a reliable agent could be procured it might be possible to securo eggs find place them in cool stoTes.-when eggs are plentiful and let them out'in the winter. The exportation of eggs should be curtailed and the eggs stored, and allowed to be'placed oil the New Zealand markets. As far as the Department of Agriculture "was concerned it desired to do the best for poultrymen and the cssociation. It .was the small man that the Department had to look after. The big man could, look after himself. The bulk of the eggs and poultry in New Zealand were being produced by the small poultry farmers. General Business. , Mr 1 , Merrctt moved that the next conference should be held in Christchurch. Mr. Scott seconded. An amendment ill favour of holding the conference in .Wellington ■was carried after lceeii discussion. .. Tho election of officers resulted .as follows:—President, Mr. 11. M, Boddington; vice-presidents,-Messrs. li. AV. Ilawke.-E. Gallichnn; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. B. Merrott; assistant secretary, Mr. J. A. Simpson; lion, auditor, Mr. C. lienn; executive committee, Messrs. A. G. Mumby, W. Knight, S. 11. Scott, K. 0. Noilly, and G. Finn. The 'report of the committee sot up to consider the standard of excellence for judging utility fowls and ducks was' received. After considerable discussion it was decided, on tho motion of Mr. Gallichan, seconded by Mr. Scott, '.'That,the New' Zealand Utility Poultry Cluib be asked to. leave the standard in the hands of tho executive of the New Zealand Association for three months, and their decision will be endorsed at tho next conference." Remit' Considered* The New Zealand Utility Poultry Club.

(Christchureh) forwarded the following remit: "That the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club co-operatb with tlio Government in the administration of the egg-laying competition at l'apanui, under conditions similar to those adopted by the Government with the Cattle Breeders' Association."—Adopted. It was also decided, on the recommendation of the same club that in the event of legislation being passed to limit the price or flour, the Government be urged, in tho interests of -.poultry producers, to do the same for pollard and bran. Also, that the Government be asked to fix a standard for pollard oil similar lines to that in forco in Australia. A remit from the Auckland Poultrykeepers' Association to the effect that tlio Dominion be divided into provinpial districts, or provincial centres, was lost l>y a large majority, as it was considered that the tinje was not ripe for this step to be taken. It was decided, however, on the recommendation of the same association, that tho Minister of Customs be requested to place incubators and poultry-keepers' appliances in tho same category as farm implements. To-day's Business. The .conference will meet for the conjsideration of fuirtlier remits at D.30 a.m. to-day. This afternoon delegates will take part in Anzac Day celebrations. At 7.30 p.m. an address will be delivered by Mr. Ji\ C. Brown, Government Poultry Expert. •