DEAR WHEAT AND CHEAP EGGS.

Shannon News, 3 February 1922, Page 3

DEAR WHEAT AND CHEAP EGGS.

(To the Editor.) sir,—The Dominion egg-iariuers’ up hilt climb against financial adversity lias been one of those chronic maladies which everyone has learnt to taKe as a matter of course. It lias been greatly intensified since the admission to this country of the cheaply-produc-ed Chinese egg-pulp, coupled with a Government-protected local wheat cocky and merchant demanding 10/ per bushel for fowl wheat. This extortion in the price ol wheat has for some time heavily hampered the expansion of the industry. A momentary check has now been put on tlie free importation of Chinese hen-glue, but there- remains the threat of the cake artists, to all appearances backed by the Government, that if local fowJmen do not fully supply Dominion requirements “at reasonable prices,” the floodgates of “All .Sin's'' product will be opened to supply me deficiency. What, botli political doctors and cake baiters have overlooked is that a protected and pampered wheat cocky involves a protected eggcocky—that is, the entire abolition oi the Asiatic egg-puip. Failing that, tne poultry industry will wither and die. The prevailing political strategy of favouring the tanner in the shape of fixed high prices and prevention of imports causes the shrinkage of locaj egg production, and bakers’ demand ior imports follows, some time ago wheat stood at 3/6 to 4/ per bushel in New .York, 5/3 in Australia, and 10/ in New Zealand, with eggs fetching 1/4 per dozen here. Ob, yes! The eggmen are making fortunes. Study

those prices. I asked a representative of a prominent grain merchant why his principals did not import the superior and cheaper Australian wheat. Had they caught that “tired feeling’ 7 '.’ No. His reply was to the effect that the authorities would not allow it. The Bakers’ Review, which, as one may guess, is interested in cheap fowl-food, as' it means cheaper eggs, says, simply: “The Government is solely to blame for the high cost of food.” - The position now is: Highpriced wheat with relatively low-pric-ed eggs will put many out of ominess, greatly- reducing production, thus leaving Dominion requireme ns short and inviting imports from tin Celestial Empire. The remedy is a free wheat market and the abolition of Asiatic imports. The competition with Australian egg-pulp will be a sufficient, task lor New Zealand.—l arm etc., 11. LEGEII.