EGG MARKETING

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21178, 30 July 1940, Page 2

EGG MARKETING

REGULATIONS EXPLAINED NEW GRADING PROVISIONS HAMILTON COMMITTEE The provisions of the Egg Marketing Regulations recently introduced were explained to a well-attended meeting of poultry producers in Hamilton last night by Mr A. E. Knowles, Poultry Board member for the Auckland Province, and Mr K. J. Gunn, of the Internal Marketing Division. Mr Knowles stressed the difficulty which poultry keepers had in not only producing the eggs but marketing them as well. Indicating the cost of the services of agents to producers who sold through them, he stated that on his own farm he had worked out this cost at 14 per cent of gross receipts. His division looked upon the regulations merely as a first step in the orderly marketing of eggs, said Mr Gunn. Hamilton producers should watch the effects of the scheme in the main centres, so that when the Hamilton district was declared a marketing area they would be acquainted with its requirements. Details of Regulations Mi Gunn discussed the details of the new regulations, the main provisions being as follows:—Wholesale distributors must apply to the director for a license to carry on trading in eggs. No producer from outside a marketing area would be able to sell eggs within the area, unless through a licensed agent, without being in possession of a producer’s license. Agents’ commissions would be determined by the director. Wholesale distributors would operate a weekly pool for the purpose of ascertaining the price to be paid to consignors. Inside a marketing area no eggs could be sold unless they were graded. The onus of seeing that eggs were graded was on the retailer. Grades were as follows:—Heavy grade: Not less than 2.Joz. Standard grade: 210 z.-l 15-16 oz. Medium grade: 1 15-160 z.-l 9-16 oz. Pullet grade: 1 9-160 z- . All eggs exposed for sale must bear a ticket indicating the grade. Price cutting by retailers or improper marking of grade would carry a penalty and the director might prohibit such retailers from dealing in eggs. Wholesalers would have to furnish a return of stocks periodically to the director. Inspections might be carried out by the department of premises and books of account of licensed agents. Advisory Committee The Minister might appoint an egg marketing advisory committee to make such recommendations as it thought fit relating to the marketing of eggs and egg pulp. Mr Knowles outlined a proposal made by the Poultry Board on the producers’ war effort. He suggested the export of 500,000 dozen eggs from August to December, increasing the number of pullets, and a compulsory levy of, say, 5 per cent of eggs from all producers. He also suggested an appeal for gifts of eggs to offset losses, the loss on export to be made up by a levy on eggs and a Government grant. He also advocated a publicity campaign and the modification of the export grading standard. The following resolution was adopted:—“That a committee be set up to investigate the operations of the new regulations in the many centres and to bring down a report to be presented to a public meeting in three months’ time.” A committee consisting of Messrs G. D. Hunter, E. R. Vernall and H. Fow was elected.