MARKETING OF EGGS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 54, 26 November 1937, Page 11

MARKETING OF EGGS

■Presa Association.)

Clash of Opinion on Rival Schemes NOISY MEETING

(By Telegraph-

i AUCKLAND, Nov 24. A clash of opinion that frequently necessitated intervention by the chairman created lively cxehanges at a large meeting of poultry keepers at Papatoetoe last night to discuss national eggmarketing schemes. At one stage the chairman, Mr. E. D. Wilkinson, who presided over an attendanee of about 330, threatened to close the meeting unless order was maintained. The president of the New Zealand Poultry Producers' Pederation, the Rev. W. F. Stent, of Carterton, appealed to the prodncers to become united in their owh interests. The majority of producers throughout the Dominion was behind the federation and the New Zealand Poultry Board in their joint support of a State-controlled scheme, with the establishment of central grading floors in the chief centres. A minority in the Auckland distriet was opposing it and endeavouring to substitute another scheme. Threat to Close Meeting. Mr. J. W. McGlinchy, of Christchurch, vice-president of ' the federation, said a resolution in favour of establishing central floors had been adopted at the federation conference. "While the executive was in touch with the Government, certain members 0f the federation went behind the exe* sutive and told the Government that the ind'u^try did not want it," he said. The bogey of State control had been raised to scare producers and' the Auckland Egg Marketing Committee had isjued several statements opposing central floors, and advocating the Elley scheme. "You have no hope of getting that scheme carried through," he said. Voices: Why not? Mr. McGlinchy said producers owning 87,000 fowls in Christchurch had petitioned the Government to take over control of marketing. He criticised the gtatement of the Auckland committee to the effect that the central ' floor scheme would bankrupt the producers. Mr. McGlinchy was proceeding with his criticism when uproar developed and the chairman threatened to close the meeting. Govermnent Control. "Unless you take . the central floor scheme you will get nothing, ' ' added Mr. McGlinchy. Mr. A. J. Severn, of Wellington, secretary of the federation, and Mr. A. E. Knowles, chairman of the New Zealand Poultry Board, also spoke. Mr. Knowles said he had the authority of the director of internal marketing, Mr. F. Picot, to say that the central floor scheme and Government control would go through. Lively exchanges marked questiou time, which extended for nearly an hour. "It is a pity this has happened," said the chairman, referring to the conduct of the meeting. Had he known he would not have consented to preside. "Perhaps the speakers came looking for a fight; they certainly got it," he added.