EGGS FOR FOOD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 September 1942, Page 4

EGGS FOR FOOD

DISTRICT EFFORT NEEDED PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION. SUPPLY TO THE FIGHTING FORCES. Proposals for the collection and distribution of eggs in Masterton and surrounding districts, primarily for the fighting forces, were put before a meeting of egg producers, held in the Masterton A. and P. Rooms this afternoon. Mr R. H. Brewerton presided. Mr E. J. Matthews, representing the Internal Marketing Department, explained the proposals and Mr J. Robertson, M.P., reviewed the part New Zealand had played in the general war situation.

The chairman explained that the meeting was called at the instance of Mr Polson, Minister of Primary Production, through the Wairarapa Primary Production Council. Mr Robertson, stating that they were there to consider the production and distribution of eggs as food and as a war effort, emphasised the importance of New Zealand in the Pacific war campaign, especially in providing food supplies for the fighting services. They had been asked for not only eggs, but for pork, beef, mutton and lamb, poultry, lard, milk, canned beans, cheese and many other foodstuffs. New Zealand had to do its part in keeping up and increasing the food supplies required. It was not a question of how much it was convenient to produce. It was a question of what could be done. The more shipping that could be saved the quicker would the Japanese be driven back.

Mr Matthews said he could not stress too urgently, the necessity for supplying the eggs required. He went on to explain the methods suggested for stabilising the market. The cities, the four marketing areas, had so far had to bear the brunt of these requirements. He was of opinion that some form of control was necessary in country areas, as the cities were drastically rationed, even in the flush of the season, while in Masterton and other country areas there was no difficulty in getting eggs. It was considered that the country areas should make their contribution to the requirements of the armed forces. It was proposed that a floor should be established locally and all eggs would have to be sold to the floor, which would deliver to retailers for local consumption and a proportion to the Government for the fighting forces. It would not be possible for producers in the control area to sell eggs to grocers, hotels, restaurants or hospitals, but only to the floor. Heavy penalties could be imposed for the sale of eggs for resale, except to the floor. Producers who were sending their eggs direct to Wellington could still do so, as they already had stabilised prices. It might be possible _ to stabilise the price in Masterton without a floor, but that would not enable the Government to control the eggs so that a proportion could be taken for the armed forces or to help the supply in .Wellington, where eggs had been rationed for many months. If the price were stabilised in the country areas, they would get more eggs fnfn the farmers and could look for increased supplies from poultry farmers in six months’ time. The steps proposed would mean the rationing of eggs in Masterton, but the need was urgent and the Government looked for the co-operation of everyone. n . x (Proceeding).