THE EGG MARKET

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1921, Page 5

THE EGG MARKET

RESTRICTING IMPORTATION.

IMPETUS TO LOCAL PRODUCTION.

(From Our Own Correspondent) Wellington, April 30. Two announcements concerning the importation of eggs appear in this week’s Gazette. The first prohibits the importation of “egg pulp and white or yolk of eggs, whether dessicated, liquid, frozen or other, also any similar preparation of eggs” save with the consent of the Minister for Customs given on the recommendation of the Board of Trade. The second notifies persons desirous of obtaining such goods during the present year that they ehuid make application to the Department of Industries and Commerce for permits. They are required to state the country of origin and other particulars. The restriction upon importation is of some general interest, in view of the fact that the wholesale price of fresh eggs in Wellington is from 3s 8d to 4s per dozen, and that even the humble preserved egg cannot be bought under 2s 6d per dozen. The action that has been taken by the Department of Industries and Commerce is the outcome of prolonged discussions with the representatives of the egg producers. The persistent demand of the egg producers has been for the prohibition of the importation of eggs in the forms in which they are prepared abroad for the use of confectioners and bakers. It has been argued that if the producers were not subject to the competition of the imported eggs, they would be able to extend their operations and eventually to supply the New Zealand market at lower prices than are now ruling. The reply of Ministers on several occasions has been that it would not be fair to the consumers to cut off the supply of comparatively cheap imported eggs and compel the public to pay very high prices for New Zealand eggs. The arrangement that has been made now is that the importations are to be restricted this year to the quantity that was imported in 1919. That quantity vas approximately 326,000 lbs and the importers of eggs in the forms mentioned in the order will be limited accordingly. There will be a rationing arrangement to secure the equitable operation of the scheme. The egg producers, through their organisations, have promised that the output of eggs within the Dominion shall be increased. Some of the associations have indicated that their members will increase their output by as much as 50 per cent. They say that the effect will be to give the New Zealand people not less than the normal supply of eggs without any increase in price. The present very high price of eggs is not the result of the limitation of importations, according to the men in the trade. ‘lt is due to under-produc-tion. New Zealand’s consumption of eggs has grown much faster than the local output, and at this time of the year most of the hens are idle. The imported eggs mentioned in the order do not come in forms suitable for household use. It appears that the consumers will not get much relief for some time yet. But later in the year, if the expectations of the producers are realised, eggs may be more plentiful and a good deal cheaper. \