THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9544, 24 June 1921, Page 4

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Th© recent census should supply valuable data as to the position of the poultry industry m New Zealand. Owing to the number of people who raise poultry, an accurate count of our feathered friends is not' practicable annually. It may surprise many of the "fancy" to learn that the number of fowls, ducks, turkeys, 8 geese, and other poultry showed an actual decrease of 226,137 head m 1916 compared with 1911; and only a small increase- on the previous census taken m 1906. The census of 1921 will show whether the retrograde .movement has been accelerated, checked and turned into an advance. The decrease m the poultry population between 1911 and 1916 becomes more impressive when the natural increase m human population is considered. Bu£ a recent change m the Government's policy towards the industry may - improve this position very rapidly ii After years of agitation, poultry farmers have been granted protection from the economically unfair competition represented by the importation of Asiatic egg pulp. This undesirable trade is to end for a period and poultry farmers are to % % e given an opportunity to develop their industry under a protective policy. If they show that they can adequately supply the New Zealand market at a reasonable price, the Aeiatic egg will never again hamper the development of the local producer. The industry is certainly a desirable one and worthy of encouragement. It .supplies a useful side-line for v many town worker i and as a speciality promotes clos^.r settlement and allows more people to find occupation on the land. Moreover, the prohibition of imports of Asiatic eggs will not raise the price' of the newly-laid article to the consumer. The effect should be rather the reverse by increasing the hen population and therefore the egg supply during the recurring ■; autumn scarcity.