BLACK MARKET IN EGGS

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24150, 8 January 1944, Page 6

BLACK MARKET IN EGGS

SERIOUS POSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH

STAMPING MACHINES AT CENTRAL FLOOR

So rampant has black marketing in eggs become in the Christchurch city area, that the Central Egg Flour has installed special stamping machines which will print the initials “C.E.F.” on all eggs handled, by the floor. By this means, it is hoped to check black marketing activities, the chairman of directors of the floor (Mr C. Ferguson) told a reporter of “The Press” yesterday.

Mr Ferguson said that on a turnover involving more than 1,000,000 dozen eggs in 20 weeks to the end of last December, the Central Floor showed a drop in supplies of 150.000 dozen eggs compared with the corresponding period of 1942. Added to this was the fact that in 1942, the Egg Floor had been in its early stages of development, and had not completed its organisation for the collection of eggs from outlying depots. This year, nevertheless, the number of eggs received at the floor over 20 weeks had been 7400 dozen fewer weekly, on an average, than last year, said Mr Ferguson. He had estimated that the turnover would increase by 50 per cent, on last year’s totals, but this had not proved to be the case. It was obvious that eggs were being sold through illegal channels, and because of the shortage of eggs people were purchasing them on the black market. Taking'all factors into consideration, it was estimated that apart from the drop of 150,000 dozen on supplies received at the Egg Floor last year, at least another 200,000 dozen eggs were not being marketed through the regulation channels. The position had become so serious that the Internal Marketing Division had decided to take drastic action to curb black marketing, said Mr Ferguson. From Monday, all .feggs distributed on the Christchurch market through legal channels would be stamped with the initials of the Centrol Egg Floor, and traders in eggs not so stamped would be liable to prosecution. Steps had been taken to have the initials “C.E.F.” registered as a trade-mark. Stamping would ultimately result in a more equal distribution of eggs produced in Canterbury, and would also'ensure that only fresh; clean eggs would be supplied to consumers. The colour of the stamp used would be changed weekly. Trouble had been experienced, said Mr Ferguson, through suppliers sending in stale and dirty eggs to the Egg Floor. Every effort was being made at the floor to ensure that only the cleanest eggs were sent out to retailers. When dirty or stale eggs were received from producers, the latter suffered financially, as it was impossible to utilise the eggs in the same way as fresh, clean eggs. The device for stamping the eggs had been invented by Mr W. G. Taylor, of Christchurch, who had also invented the grading and testing machine to which the stamp was attached, said Mr Ferguson. Twelve of the machines were in use at the Egg Floor.