POULTRY FARMERS REQUESTS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3134, 12 July 1917, Page 8

POULTRY FARMERS REQUESTS

deputation' to the minister. Representatives of the Now Zealand Poultry Association waited upon tho Min- , istei- of Agriculture (tho Eon. W. 1). S. MacDonald)-to inako ,a number of ' requests— the appointment of a Market . Commissioner, tlio prffyision of- cold storage, the payment of advances against stored produce, tho stamping of cool 6tx)fed and preserved eggs, tho prohibition of the importation of Asiatic eggs/ and tho settlement of returned soldiers on poultry farms. ; Tho' Minister said that ho agreed with the' deputation that it would be futile to put soldiers on poultry farms without their having been £rs£ instructed in the industry. It was a suitable industry for many of the men, and lie a'dmitted that the Government,- had not been able to <lo all that.was required. A good deal had j beon done in improving tho breed of poultry Btoct, but this was no good if the produce was to' bo put on tho market at prohibitive prices. Ho would not recommond tho Government to appoint a Market Commissioner, but he ■would bo willing to recommend that a subsidy be given to a man appointed 'and controlled by. tho poultry fnnnors themselves. He considered that the pro.hibition of Asiatic eggs was a matter that chiefly concerned the Minister cf Public Health, and lie -had beon in touch with Mr/ Russell lately on the subject..Ho was prepared to suggest to Cabinet that importation should be, prohibited for, a year, say from Septem-' next. He could not understand tho 'request .that storage oggs be stamped. Tho deputation asked for the provision .of xool storage, and there asked that ' e gg s so stored should bo stamped, and so advertised as of less value than fresh eggs. He was convinced, however, that the provision of cool storage would have to be taken up either by tne municipalities or tlio Government. This question was being fully considered. Tho Minister said that in all'probability Parliament would be asked to sanction ;,he establishment of an experimental farm ■this year. The initial expense would •be about .£3OOO, and the cost would be considerable until the farm became self- ■ supporting. He believed that the poultry industry would bo a big business in 'New Zealand, provided the public could get the product' at reasonable prices.