EGG SELLING.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4869, 24 August 1925, Page 1

EGG SELLING.

CO-OPERATIVE ACTION WANTED. AN APPEAL IN AUSTRALIA. In every department of manufacture arid trade the utmost importance is attached to the method and efficiency of salesmanship. Unless the goods produced can be profitably and easily sold their production is useless. The greater the output tne more important becomes the need for good salesmanship and effective organisation (states , “Alpha” in the Melbourne Leader). This applies to the egg business in Australia. We are now producing £9,000,000 worth pf poultry pioducta annually,’and, although the export of eggs from Australia to the London markets has increased from 8000 dozen eight years ago to 1,500,000 dozen last year there is still a surplus here to , dispose °f.. :

British . conditions as "-regards production are entirely different in the main from those of Australia. Britain is a consuming country ; quits is a producing one ; so it is essential that a large portion of our supplies is exported, and to get rid of our surplus to the best possible-advantage we must employ the most efficient salesmen, and organise in such a manner that the goods we offer can compare favourably 1 with the many rivals that are out to capture the overseas market. Denmark, Canada, and Holland are among the most formidable of these. A lesson can be learned from Denmark aiid Canada.' Both countries have shown us the importance of cooperation and loyalty. In New Zealand they have found in Mr J. B. Morrett the man to handle the surplus eggs; and what New Zealand has done surely Australia can accomplish. In Denmark it was found that it was imperative to employ an expert to sell eggs, and to pay him an adequate [salary.

Undoubtedly one of the secrets of the success of the Danes in the egg export business has been that they employ the best men at a good salary, making it worth while for them to put their best into the work. To pay inadequate salaries has long been recognised as an economic blunder.

It is no use sitting back, and expecting the Government to assume responsibilities. Producers, must co-operate and hip themselves to gain results. Buyers must be found when the output increases. It is only, when eggs are scarce that buyers, will seek for them. If it is impossible to sell all the surplus, then efficient preservation must be organised to avoid loss and waste.

Combined action on the part of the producers is, of course, the biggest factor in achieving a successful export trade, or one that will dispose oJ the produce in the most profitable market. In Australia, in spite of egg pools and other schemes, it would Seem that no isysytem has yet been quite successful. This is because there is a lack of loyalty amongst producers themselves.. Unless all cooperate and combine the individual must lose. In Denmark producers bind themselves to sell all their supplies to the local depots of the society controlling the trade. If they are discovered selling elsewhere they are expelled, and lose the bulk of their trade. In Western Canada the controlling society imposes a fine of 3%d per dozen for all eggs which are sold except through the legitimate channels. If Australian producers could combin,e cp-operate, and enforce loyalty surplus eggs could be disposed of with as much benefit to poultry farmers ais is the case in New Zealand and the other producing countries. ...