POULTRY KEEPERS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1921, Page 1

POULTRY KEEPERS

ANNUAL CUNFERENCE

AUCKLAND, -March 9. Poultry keepers from all over the

Dominion were represented at the eleventh annual conference ot the New Zealand Poultry Association, which was opened this morning with a full attendance of delegates. The. Mayor of Auckland welcomed the visitors to the city. Mr J. 15. Merrett, secretary of the association, in thanking the Mayor tor his cordial welcome, endorsed the warning that the country must cut down its imports and produce more before things would right themselves. The fact that egg pulp, for instance, was imported from China was not creditable to the Dominion. Mr S. 11. Scott, president-elect, pre-

sided in the absence of the president, Mr E. J. Ross, lie gave an interesting 'address, in which lie said that some thirty affiliated bodies supporting the association from all parts of the Dominion, and representing some 10,:ton poultry keepers, they now had an organisation that must make history md continue to he the mouthpiece of :lie poultry industry. After touching m the way the wheat shortage was got )ver last year Mr Scott spoke strongly m the unfair competition to which the

industry was exposed by the importing of egg pulp from Chinn, and said that when they got protection and had an assured wheat supply they would he able to report marked progress in the industry, which was a. most valuable one to the Dominion at large. In the report of the secretary thanks were expressed to the Government for assistance in overcoming the shortage of

aultry feed last year. Mention was ado of the fact that a trial shipment 12,000 eggs from New Zealand to iinada was successful, producers going 2s per dozen. Inquiries had eome

mi America and there was no doubt

that a good export trade should he developed. Tin' report expressed satisfaction at the price that had been received for eggs locally, hut pointed out

t. with a, general easing of prices

icy must he prepared for lower rates. Air A. Harris, M.P., who is one of ie Parliamentary representatives of io association cheered members by tellthem he felt sure there was not a

member of the House who was not with the asociation in the matter of

nose egg pulp, and he thought lie

could say the Government would next session introduce a Bill on the matte?'.

'Applause). Among other business transacted was he reception of the report of the rciring president, who in dealing with lie egg pulp trouble suggested that one vay out of the difficulty would he to lave a fair price fixed for eggs by the loard of Trade, and then if there was lot enough of the local article to meet he demands of bakers a permit might e granted to import, not from China, >ut from Australia. Trade should he opt within the Empire. (Applause)?