CONTROL OF EGGS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 September 1942, Page 4

CONTROL OF EGGS

FIGHTING FORCES & LOCAL MARKET DEPOT TO BE ESTABLISHED IN MASTERTON. DECISION OF POULTRY PRODUCERS. A mooting of poultry producers held in Al asterion yesterday decided io set up a depot in Masterton for ihe collection and distribution of eggs, as requested by the Internal Marketing Depart inent and in accordance with the Emergency Regulations. Mr E. -J. Matthews, who represented the Department, explained the proposals to the meeting.

It was emphasised that the whole purpose oi the proposals was to ensure sufficient eggs for men of the fighting forces, for which reason it was desirable that the market should be controlled. so that the eggs could be available in the direction wanted. It was pointed'out that producers in the controlled area, whatever its limits might be, would still be able to send their eggs to Wellington, if they desired, but no one in the area would be allowed to sell eggs for resale, except through the proposed depot. That would eliminate the sale of eggs by producers, including householders, to grocers, etc., who must obtain their supplies from the depot. Producers would still be allowed to sell to consumers at the door, as long as the eggs were not for resale.

The Rev. W. F. Stent, in asking for more information as to the actual running of the depot, said the scheme proposed would not increase the production of eggs, but would only alter the distribution. ’ He said there was a great supply of eggs that was not being touched--the supply on the farms. He considered an appeal should be made to .farmers not to use any more eggs than necessary and to send all they could spare to the fighting forces. Consideration should be given to making all producers supply the depot. with no exceptions. Mr Matthews said he made recommendations in a report to the Minister three or four weeks ago regarding the possibilities of drawing on supplies from farms. He said the floor'should be established by the producers themselves, with representatives of the Primary Production Council and retailers. The rationing would be done by the Department, acting on the advice of an advisory committee. The only way to get increased production was to stabilise the market. There was considerable discussion and some devision of opinion as to the grading procedure and the benefits of the proposed floor, especially to the smaller producers. , Mr J. Robertson, M.P., _ said the whole purpose of the meeting was to help the fighting forces by providing food for them. Civilian needs would come after that. The people of New Zealand would have to eat fewer eggs to supply the fighting men. The scheme' was to mobilise the eggs they had and see that they went into the desired direction. , n .. , , The meeting eventually decided to set up a depot in Masterton, a show of hands giving the voting 14 to nil in favour of the proposal. Mr Watson was asked to call a meeting of producers within a week with a view to setting up a committee, to run the depot.

GROCERS CONCUR

PROMISE OF CO-OPERATION

Last evening a meeting of grocers was addressed by Mr Matthews, on lines similar to those at the producers’ meeting. The grocers agreed to the setting up of an advisorv committee for the duration of the war and promised their co-operation in the scheme as a war measure. , « TT r. i v. Messrs J. Whiteman and S. H. Ralph were nominated as the grocers’ representatives on the advisory committee.