EGGS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 April 1915, Page 3

EGGS.

'l'illi iVßEAllifilt'.S OI'INIONW. Tile ltight Hon tlie Premier in answer to a deputation representative ol' three thousand poultrymen ol New Zealand, made some comforting statements lor poultry-keepers. Lately a movement lui.i been iliade ill the cities to secure a reduction in the duty levied upon imported eggs. Mr Massey told the deputation that his Cabinet had 110 idea to auk Parliament lor any reduction. (Hear, hear.) The stamping of imported egg.s would lie a fair thing in the interests of consumers, and if practicable the proposal would be carried out. .So far as the export of eggs was concerned there was news of the satis : factory shipment of a consignment from Motuoka to London with a temperature of 40 to -12 degrees, and il this could be done there should be 110 dittieulty about shipping eggs to Vancouver. He knew poultrymen were considerably hampered bv .this high price of food .especially wheat. He coukl not say the price of wheat was going to lie much lower lor some time to come. It had been suggested that the Government might import more wheat and poultry-keepers have it at cost price. The Government proposed to import more wheat. It would be necessary if the figures of the Regis-trar-General were correct, and lie believed there would be a (shortage before next harvest. There would be a gap to be filled by the million bushels -.vbich he hatl under offer. It was not the price of wheat in Canada that was the i trouble. It was the cost of bringing it here. Freights had more than doubled during the last six months, and the present rate amounted to 2s 3d per bushel for wheat. The outlook tor the coming crop was very good indeed, and ii they could only get through the .>canon he had no doubt the difficulty would come to au end. Hut it would last till December. He noticed that a northern firm proposed to import a variety of rye from the United States which was sup|K>sed to be particularly suitable for poultry. Freights from the western side of America were much lower than from the eastern side. This was a matter that might be worth looking into. Then he was given to under .vtnnd th.it the cixjp of maize in Soiith Africa was singularly good, and this for fattening purposes might be imported on vessels calling at Capetown short of cargo. As to the use "I wheat he fraiiklv contused that In- did not think >' uonld pay poulterers I" use Canadian -s\ !'••!!. The rate ol (is in Canada mean 8s here. lie would l<e i' t«*o glnfl to give effect to llie ."nggt'i-,! inns ''M'liight before him as far be u.uTd.