THE EGG SUPPLY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2878, 16 September 1916, Page 10

THE EGG SUPPLY

IMPORTANT STATEMENT BY HON. 0. W. RUSSELL. By Telegraph—Press Association. Chrlstcliurch, September 14. Replying to a deputation on the subject of the poultry industrv and imported eggs, the Hon. G. W. Russell, referring to the allegation that imported eggs word bought; from German firms in China, said that tho Customs Department assured him that no eegs from German firms • were allowed into the Dominion. Ho had had imported dried albumen and imported preserved .yolks analytically examined by the Government Analyst, and from his report lie, as Minister, did not see his way to prohibit tho importation of these goods on the ground that thev n-'r"> unlit for human consumption. Ho held in writing an offer by poultry peoplo to sell the whole of their output to the pastrycooks at tho following prices": First grade, Is. Id. per dozen; second grade, Is. per dozen. He urged bakers and pastrycooks to book 'their orders right away. lie was quite in sympathy with tho suggestion that returned soldiers should be employed to take up poultry and small fruit farms. Indeed, lie thought the village settlement system was the solution of the difficulty of finding employment for soldiers. 1 '

Mr. J. B. Merrctt contended that thorp was 110 shortage of Now Zealand eggs, awl that' last year a large number of eggs had to be sacrificed o at lid. per dozen. Local eggs had been ousted by the stuff from China, which was sold at cheaper rates.