POULTRY AND EGGS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3049, 10 April 1917, Page 8

POULTRY AND EGGS

,- SCORNING THE FOREIGN YOLK

, POULTRYMEN IN CONFERENCE

V : ;. TKe annual;.'.conference of; the New, ~ 2ealand Poultry Association was con- ■..;■ eluded yesterday at the Masonio Hall. . The, chair was occupied by the presi- • «ent. (Mr. H. W. -Boddington). - The first matter discussed: with em- - bodied in the three remits dealing : '.with the importation" of Asiatio eggs ' and egg pulp. The remits moved by Jlr. W. H. Cliilds (Kaiapoi) were as ' follow: ; "That in the event of no satisfactory . assurance being given by the Govern- . ment .that the Pure Foods Act would ■~-:.- bo carried out, and a satisfactory explanation given by tho. Department of ■ Agriculture for recommending-the use.v : of Asiatio eggs, ah injunction be taken against the Government, to draw public' • attention, to the injustice done to poul- ' ' trymen." •.'j. ,1 "That the Government be' asked to v enforce the regulations of the Pure : • Foc-ds Act, relative to the use of liquid • yolks and, desiccated whites of eggs." . -"That the conference urge the Gov- - ernment-to prevent Asiatic eggs com- . . in a into the Dominion." ' ; The mover said that it was essential I; / for tho safety of the industry " here that the regulations referred to in the ■. remit should be, enforced. Bakers • dominated the egg markets, or at least ;; ' they had that power!- Ho hoped that T ; a combined effort would be made to '. ensure the enforcement of the Act. Mr. J. B. Merrett related the suc- , cess of a German agent who had vislt,/cd Zealand febout three. years • , ago, when' he was arranging to intro- ■ duce the. eggs from China. When he • orders lie-was informed that . tho egp in question could not be land- '• ed owing to the regulations .in force. But the agent assorted that he could . arrange that all right, l and a little later tho Christchurch man received an .. assurance from the Health Department • that no prosecution would follow the v use of the_ imported .article. That letter was now in the possession of the asso- ; ciation's exeoutive, which had had con- ■' siderahle .difficulty in having it return- . Ed/ Other bakers bad tho. indemnity i extended to them, and the regulation ■ was dead letter. In Christchurch • they had obtained the opinion of a ' lawyer, to the effect that it would , be possible to. obtain an injunction. The } regulation was being flouted, and the .whole of th& industry was in peril. , . ..rljoy should realise that, and aot in . such a way that the Government would ; ■ fae forced to listen to them". • _ Mr. H. Armstrong (Wairarapa)' said it would be best to approach the various members of Parliament on the ■- " matter. * ' Mr. E. Gallichan (Wellington) said / that he was very much against "the im- ... portation of Asiatio eggs, But there was •I one.question.to ho faced. Now Zoalancl, thoy wero told, required 26.000,'000 eggs • per year, and it was only-producing ■■■: ~ 10,000,000. How was the balance to • bo made up? ... ~ -Mr. G. Finn said that'the leakers j preferred New Zealand eggs, and went .. prepared to pay more for- tho local >' artigle. But whp.ro wero they to get ? New Zealand eggs? a In Wellington it | had been found impossible to meet the I " demand. Tho whole industry needed

more organisation —more ogg circles. In fighting Asiatio eggs .money was needed, and ho was prepared to give £5 towards the cause. Mr. J. A. Snnson (Wellington) said that it it were made imperative for every producer to belong to a circle, and no eggs were • permitted to bo sold ■ oxccpt through the circle, tho prico would never fall below Is. 4d. per dozen. That was the way, too, to induce people to go into tho business, and so increase the production. The chairman said that tho main point was whether the-Government was going to enforce the law. Do not, t?o said, let that point be forgotten. At the present price of food they were "not going ; to get any other people to go into the business. Mr. J. B. Merrett (Christchurch) wished to know what the conference was going to do about taking out an injunction against the Government (foroing the Government to obsorve the provisions of the Pure Food Act in relation to Asiatio egg pulp). . If they were to go on with it they would want a few more £5 notes. He was preparcd. toput (There was a liber.il response). - . Mr. H. AV. Ghilds (Kaiapoi) said - that the egg yolks ■ wcro coming in freely during war time. How was it to b© in normal times? . After a free disoussion the motions quoted were boiled down to the following resolution:—"That the New Zealand Poultry Association determines to use every effort to enforce the regulations of the Pure Food Acts in ! elation to imported j'olks and desiccated whites, and that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Ministers of Agriculture and Public Health." Mr. Childs moved, and Mr. Kent seconded, tlje resolution, which was unanimously carried. Over £60 was subscribed in the room to the "Asiatio Fighting Fund.".

Poor Pollard. Mr.' A. G. Mumby moved: "That the Governmont be requested to form a standard for pollard on the basis of weight for measurement, or in such manner as to prevent adulteration." . - Mr. Pratt said that N.Z. pollard was not as good as it used, to be. The reason why they wcro going to Australia for their supplies was because there was a standard in Australia, and none here. It was not a question of cheapness, because it was not cheaper, but they were sure of getting a good quality pollard. Mr. Simson said that some of the southern-pollard contained 83 per cent, of bran. Australian pollard used to be much better, but now some of the pollard that was being imported was just as poor as could be got in New Zealand. Mr." Christie said that the quality bf pollard depended on the millers. When they wished to get more out of the wheat the pollard became poorer. He did not know, with wheat at its present price, whether they could get millers to alter their arrangements. The chairman said that in Wairarapa the old Btones were used (in milling), and thoy got the best of pollard. ( On the amending motion of Mr. E. Gallichan, it was decided that the incoming executive consult with the Agricultural Department with a view to seeing what could be done in the direotion of fixing a standard of purity for pollaTd. Mr. Finn added that at Home pollard was divided into three grades. For the first millings they were now paying £20 per ton in England, and about £19 for second grade. Here they wore able to buy it for £6. The difficulty was that there was no great demand for bran in New Zealand, and that accounted for the use of it in pollaid. The amendment was passed. Agents for Egg Circles. The chairman moved: "That the New Zealand Poultry Association be requested to appoint Egg Circle Agents in centrcß or distriots where necessary, such agents to be recognised as the official agents of affiliated circles, through whom all circle egg's must he marketed. Should any affiliated circle fail to comply with this arrangement, their affiliation to the N.Z.P.A./to be' f.ancelled.'-' Jlr. Holmes thought the remit was ""too much like interfering between a man and his wife— one is-likely to get knocked about by" both sides. Ho thought that the remit was too drastic in its present form. Mr. Merrett said thero was quite enough legislation on their books already, and he could not see the object or use of the remit. He said let the egg circles decide what they want

themselves, and not leave it to the association. The motion was defeated.

A Taxation Proposal. Mr. A. S. Holmes (Auokland) moved: "That this conference ask the Government to pass an Act enforcing poultrymen who produce for saloto pay a tax, on somewhat similar lines to the orchardist tax, and that such money to collccted by the Government bo utilised for tho improvement of the poultry industry." The mover said that tho object of tho romit was to see that all people who sold eggs should pay a tax. There were those who did not earn their living at egg-raising, yet who had a certain number of eggs to soli in the glut season, which oertainly. affected the price. Mr. E. W. Griffiths seconded the remit. Mr. J. B. Merrett thought that ijt would effect no material good to tho woman who had a dozen eggs to «c3l. They should rather, encourage_ such people to produce more and join tho egg circles. Sir. E. Gallichan moved, as an amendment, that producers of eggs for salo should be taxed on the linos of the orchardists' tax, and that the money so collected be handed over to tho association for organisation purposes. Mr. Gallichan added that he did not wish to seo tho Government pay the money into tho consolidated revenue. Mr; Merrett pointed out that the adoption-of a tax would probably entail inspection of poultry yards. _ On a vote being taken it was decided to defer the remit until tho next conference. Railway Charges, j Mr. Griffiths (Auckland) moved: "That the attention of the Government ,be again drawn to the high railage charges on eggs as compared with the railage charges on fruit, and that tho former charges be reduced to the latter." ' The .mover said that owing to having to consign eggs by goods trains, it took four days to get eggs from Auckland to Wellington. The charge was four times as much when sent by mail train, which made it prohibitive. Mr. Finn opposed the remit. It would do no good at the present, time with the mail trains being cut down. If it were brought up nest year "when the war would bo over" ho would probably support it; _ a Mr. Griffiths realised the truth of what Mr. Finn said, and asked that it be a matter for the executive's consideration. That course was agreed toExpert for Auckland. M;\ Pratt moved, and it was seconded : "That this conference support an application from this association to the Government for a resident Poultry Instructor in the Auckland Province." This was agreed to. Branding of Eggs. Mr. Griffiths (Auckland) moved: /'That, in the interest, of both the public and the producer, the Government pass an Act requiring all other eggs than fresh t<s be stamped 'preserved,' 'cool stored,' etc., as the case may be." The mover stated that in Auckland and elsewhere cool store eggs were being sold as fresh eggs, which should not be. eggs had to be stamped, and it was only right that New Zealand cool store eggs snould bo branded. Mr. Finn opposed the remit on the grounds that the question needed very careful consideration. . The chairman said he favoured the remit subject to it only applying to eggs sold by grocers. Mr.' H. H. Armstrong (Masterton) said that if American chilled eggs had jto ha stamped it was only right that New Zealand chilled eggs 6ho'uld"be stamped. -The grocers said that they did not get the same price for stamped eggs. That was quite right—chilled eggs should only bo sold for what they were worth. On ,the suggestion of the chairman tho remit was altered to read:—"'That in the interests of both tho public and producers the Government pass regulations roquiring all 0001-stored and proserved eggs retailod to the public to bo stamped as the case may he." Carelessness. Mr. Scott (Auckland) moved: — "That the Government's attention be drawn to the excessive number of valuable pedigree eggs that are broken in transit each breeding season, either by tho Postal or Railway _ Department's neglect in careful handling, the breakages causing serious loss to both the buyer, and the seller, and also to the industry." . The' mover said that during the last? year ho had lost more eggs through breakages than ever before. He must liave lost 300 eggs in the year. Hp had sent eggs to Australia without nearly such damago being done. The remit was adopted. ;Mr. .Pratt (Auckland) moved:— "That the Government make an investigation as to the cause of the mortality of chicks." . After a discussion tho remit was withdrawn. Mr. W. Jessen (Wellington) moved: —"That with a view to protect the egg suppliers, and secure to them the full price their eggs realise, this'conference request the Government to audit the accounts of the agents in New Zealand who sell eggs on commission." The mover said that he thought this was the only way of getting a fair return for his eggs. They got the accounts sales, but never knew that they were correct. Mr. Merrett said that the members of his circle could inspect the 'books at any time, and mentioned that the buyers knew cxactly what they had to pay, and if they followed this system there would be no need of such a remit. Ifjt were adopted the Government would . need ten thousand auditors. ■ . : On being put, the .remit was_ defeated, the only one to vote for it being the mover. . - Representation. ■Mr. H. W. Childs (Kaiapoi) moved: —"That the Government be asked to grant a direct, personal, responsible representation on the Department of /Agriculture, by the appointment of an officer, with a thorough practical and commercial insight into the poultry industry, whose business it will be to organiso and foster the industry to the utmost, and to advise the Department in all matters pertaining thereto." . In moving the remit Mr. Childs said that in the absence of representation, tlie industry was, at the mercy of blundering politicians. Mr. E. Gallichan, in seconding the motion, detailed what was being accomplished at Petaluma in California, where great results had been achieved in tho industry. Mr. Merrett supported Mr. Child's idea, whioh ho said was a great one. Ho suggested that the industry should have a representative on the Board of Agriculture. Mr. Finn agreed with the remit, but thought tho time was inopportune to approach the Government. Messrs. Holmes and Reilly thought it was the Tight time to push it. The former delegates thought that if they wore going to put their soldier boys on poultry farms they should preparo the way now by thoroughly organising the 'industry. _ _ ; The remit was unanimously adopted. As a natural corollary the succeeding remits were adopted. They were: "That thn Government bo asked to investigate tho immense possibilities of the poultry industry as a part solution of the after-war problem of settlement of soldiers on the land, in view j of the huge markets that will become

available in Great Britain for eggs and poultry. 11 - "Tliafc an open letter be drafted to the Minister of Agriculture, with copies, of same to members of Parliament throughout the Dominion, or other responsible bodies as may be dotermined. Such letter to set forth the claims of tho industry as indicated. Context of letter to bo furnished by delegate." Additional Remits. On tho motion of Mr. E. Gallichan the following extra remits were passed: "(1) Improving and developing the poultry industry in New Zealand. _ "(2) Providing practical educational facilities for thoso desiring same at a poultry farm under Government supervision. "(3) Aiding and .facilitating the carriage, storage, and distribution of poultry produce. ""(4) To enlist the board's support to induce the Government to give effect to tho foregoing remit on any recommendation that the Board of Agriculture may make." Place of Next Conference. Mr. Andrew Love moved that tho next annual conference of the association be hold at Dunedin. This was seconded by Mr. Scott (Auckland). As an amendment, Mr. Bierre (Palmerston N.) moved, and Mr. H. Armstrong seconded, that the conference bo held in Wellington as usual, as the most central place. Mr. E. Gallichan said that he was firmly convinced that the_. conference was held at the wrong time of the year. It was held at a time when the price of eggs was high, and they could not expect any sympathy from tho Press or fhe public. They ought to meet when eggs were cheap, and when Parliament was in session. On being put, the amendment was carried. Easter was the time fixed for the next conference. 5 American Egg Question.' Mr. A. Love asked that the American egg question be discussed. Mr: Love suggested that when eggs were due, supplies should be forwarded to the market likely to be affected, and sold at a reduced price. The chairman stated that there wero agents here who went round and sold the eggs to arrive. Ho knew of one case where 6000 dozen eggs were sold to arrive at Is. 9d. per dozen. Mr. J. B. Merrett said it was a matter of moment, though not such a bogey as some people supposed. They could not stop the importation of eggs. It would not be so bad this year owing to the difficulties in shipment and the faofc that in Petaluma they wore getting 4d. more per dozen than last year. Mr. H-eilly said that if, after having to pay freight and 30 per cent, duty, they, could not compete with Amerioan eggs, it did not say much for the industry locally. _ Mr. Childs thought it was quite legitimate competition. 'If they were 10,000 dozen eggs short of requirements it stood to reason tESTi there must necessarily bo importations of eggsElection of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows President, Mr. E. Galliohan; vice-presidents, Messrs. H. W. Childs and A. S. Holmes; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. B;'Merrett; assistant secretary, Mr* J. A. Simson; executive board, Messrs. H. M. Boddington, G. Finn, A. 6. Mumby, A. Love, and W. Christie; auditor, Mr. C. Rcnn; adviser, Mr. P. C. Brown. Review of the Industry. Mr. F.. C. Brown, chief poultry expert, gave an instructive and practical review of the poultry industry. He expressed the opinion that poultry men could congratulate themselves on tho present position of the industry. Tho use of' purebred birds was rapidly spreading throughout tho " country, while poultrymen were rapidly placing tho business end of tho industry on a greatly improved basis. The value of co-operative action, was marking itself felt. The cost of foodstuffs had risen to an unprecedented value, and at many seasons of the year the selling price was inadequate to compensate the producer. The result had been that many 'had been forced out of the business, being unable to compete against tho unequal struggle. The high cost of food tad. proved' a blessing in disguise. Other foods had been substituted which had actually proved more economical than foods generally msed. Th'e_ high cost of foods had also resulted in drastic culling of tho unprofitable 1 , birds. ■ , Mr. Brown further referred to the feeding testa carried out by the Department of Agriculture in proving that both wheat and pollard could be largely dispensed with. Tho experiments-were not yet complete,- but full information would be available at an early date. There had _ been a growing demand for the services. of the poultry experts, and they had been unable to' comply with the numerous requests. As to the future prospects of the industry, the expert affirmed that they would largely depend on the manner in which producers safeguarded the industry by controlling the market of eggs and poultry. Tha best means to do this was the formation of egg circles. . Bj eliminating the unnecessary cost between producer and. consumer, and supplying nothing but a first-class, guaranteed article, the industry would be placed on a new and satisfactory footing. By .the introduction of cool storage, supplies of eggs could be levelled up throughout the, year. The greater bulk of the summer supplj should be cool-stored for winter use so as to prevent th© high prices usually' attained. Table poultry was then dealt with, and the speaker said it was a matter of regret that this branch of the industry was greatly neglected, To demonstrate the great loss occasioned by the sale of naif-fed poultry, the Department had carried out an experiment when birds had been purchased and "fattened, and then re-sold showing a profit of 92 per cent. The rosults showed a striking illustratior of tho value of priming poultry before marketing. Mr. Brown dealt with the .value of lucerne as a poultry food, the imported egg problem, the export oi eggs, and the experience necessary foi successful poultry oulture. ■ At the conclusion of his address Mr. Browr answered numerous questions, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.. Votes of thanks were passed to the ratiring president, the secretary, executive, board, and the Press. The conference was then closed.