MANAWATU EGG PRODUCERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4431, 25 March 1930, Page 2

MANAWATU EGG PRODUCERS’ ASSOCIATION.

FIRST DFNFHAL MEETING

One of the larg.esl gatherings of poultry farmers that has taken place in this district met; in Foxton last evening, when the lirst general meeting of the newly-formed ATtinawatu Egg Producers’ Associarion was held, presided over by Mr. F. Haikes (Oro'.ia Downs), President. The attendance totalled twenty and was representative of the whole district, included in those present were Messrs A. Slrawbridge (Marten), It. Signal (Tc Iloro), \V. H. Oliver and Wilt-on (.W a kino), If. I). Whyte and Hushton (Palmerston X.), A. Thomson, A. K. Dailey, H. Anderson, A. Thompson, 10. Thomson (Oroua Downs), Misses Bailey and Drew (Sanson), and the secretary, Mr. J. if. Kissling (Palmerston North).

Prior lo the commencement of bsiness .Mr. Haikes said that the meeting was the lirst general meeting of the new Association formed in Foxton on February 28th. The object of the Association, said Mr. Haikes, was to deal with all matters of interest to the poultry tanners of the district and to strengthen the hands id' the X.Z. Poultry Farmers' Association by representation on that body. The lower |sari of (lie Manawalu, lie said, hud never before been properly represented although small branches bad been formed in Palmerston North Irom time to lime all of which were now defunct.

The election of officers arranged at hist meeting was continued with the addition of the name of Mr .). ;I. Ilonore, of .Foxton.

The subscription levy of os per memher was confirmed, the Chairman intimating that 2s (id of the amount went to the X.Z. Poultry Association, together with L‘l .Is affiliation fee. ■Hiiles were considered and adopted.

The dale of the annual meeting was left to the committee to decide. FDD LAYING COMPETITIONS. A short discussion ensued on the matter of egg laying competitions. The Chairman said that if these competitions were desired he thought those wanting them should subsidise the competitions themselves.

Mr H. Whyte (Palmerston N.) considered such competitions should he under the control of the Dovernmenl. lie Imped lo see the matter taken up at Massey College in the future. If a competition was arranged ut the College he considered the poultry industry in the M.’innwain would receive a great lift both in breeding stock and the Mze of the eggs. He considered, however, that if such competitions were organised cert ideates should he issued ns to the weight- and size of the eggs laid, instead of a mere statement as to the number of eggs laid.

ANNUAL COXKIOKENUE. • Mr .1. 11. Kis,sling (secretary, the ,i ssociatinn’s representative at the recent annual conference of I‘oulii y Associations held in Dunedin) ..ave an interesting resume of the work of the conference. .Ur ,Strawhridge (Marten) was elected the Association’s representative on the Wellington Provincial Council which is to be set up. M OULD'S UOXPEBENCE. The action of the secretary in guaranteeing the sum of fit) Inwards Air. Brown's expenses to the World Conference was endorsed. The Secretary reported that donations had been promised the Association by Messrs i’icot Bros, and Ai,r P. (J. Bailees. I.\ TUBBS TING PAPER. During the evening Air If. Whyte, of Palmerston North, gave an interesting paper on “Type in Relatiou to Bgg Production," - at the conclusion of which the speaker was accorded a vote of thanks on the motion of the Chairman. In returning thanks, Air Whyte said he was pleased to meet the commercial men, and he hoped that they would see their way clear to exhibit at the Alanawatu Poultry Show, and give that body a lift along. He knew the commercial men had good birds which would do very well at a show, and apart from that they would receive much beuoti! from the advertisement. Ifven if they sent along an exhibition exhibit only it would be of assistance to the Show. He hoped that the friendliest of relations would always exist between the fanciers and the commercial men.

Mr If. Whyte answered a number of questions and offered a number of useful suggestions to the farmers present and urged upon them to subscribe to an English poultry pujicr, which had the bucking of research committees and colleges in England and Scotland, as they would tind mueh useful information in the publication. The secretary intimated that pubalions on poultry from six different countries were received at Massey College and he saw no reason why these should not be circulated amongst members provided they were careful to post them on after having completed their perusal of same. BLADING OP EGOS. Considerable discussion ensued on the question of grading eggs, it being mentioned that certain grocers were purchasing hen and pullet eggs and mixing them. One member considered that the same conditions

should lie brought into vogue in this country as applied in England to prevent this. The (Chairman said a system of stamping had been undertaken by one of tbe Associations some time ago but it had proved prejudicial as people were prejudiced against the tamped eggs as they thought that they had come from up country and were not as fresh as they might ho and consequently unstamped eggs, which might have been far older old more readily.

The secretary outlined a simple ami inexpensive system of grading by means of weighing.

Mr H. Wbvte said that he felt mire tin’ stamping and grading of eggs would he a great thing for New Zealand. The small egg would lie difficult to dispose of in this country, however. On the motion of Messrs Strawbridge and Whyte it was decided llmt it be a. recommendation to the Grading Committee that all eggs be stamped. A motion was also passed strongly approving of egg grading as outlined bv the annual conference.