SUBSIDY OF 3D A DOZEN

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24272, 1 June 1944, Page 4

SUBSIDY OF 3D A DOZEN

PLAN TO INCREASE EGG PRODUCTION MINISTER EXPLAINS PROPOSALS (P.A.) WELLINGTON: May 31. Plans for increased production andbetter distribution of eggs, agreed upon between the Government and the New Zealand Poultry. Board, were.. announced by the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. B. Roberts). -The plans provide for a subsidy of 3d a dozen on eggs passing through approved channels, and for an intensification of the veterinary and, instructional services for poultry farmers. . The Minister said that during the war period the demand for eggs had greatly increased, and exceeded the supply. In addition, equitable distribution had been difficult. Some districts had been more fully supplied with eggs than others, where shortages had occurred because it had been necessary to meet urgent priorities. Under the Egg Marketing and Emergency Regulations, the Minister said, the Internal Marketing Division, through organised egg floors, arranged for the collection of eggs from the producer and their distribution to the consumer. With the demand exceeding the supply, the tendency had been for a greater proportion of eggs to be sold near the point of production. Thus the problem of supply to main centres, principally Auckland and Wellington, had been intensified. The division also arranged supplies for all egg priorities, such as hospital ships and other urgent requirements of the armed forces, and including the most urgent requirements of the civilian population. This again reduced the number of eggs available to the average housewife in the main centres. New Regulations To facilitate more equitable distribution. additional egg marketing emergency regulations were being gazetted, said Mr Roberts, giving the division authority to require producers to deliver eggs to the nearest approved egg floor, or other egg floor, or as directed, except for any authorised quantity which the producer could sell direct to the public. However, as many producers would be penalised financially by this alteration, and as it was desirable to assist those egg producers who contributed to orderly marketing and equitable rationing by consistently supplying through organised distribution channels, the Government had decided to subsidise by 3d a dozen eggs passing through approved channels. This subsidy would apply throughoui the complete year. The provision of an efficient veterinary and instructional service, as a precaution against losses of poultry from disease, would assist in achieving increased production. The new Zealand Poultry Board, therefore, had agreed to set aside all subsidy moneys paid on eggs in one week during the flush season to build up such an instructional service. As soon as competent men were available it was intended to appoint four additional poultry instructors Jo the Department of Agriculture, as well as a further whole-time veterinary officer, and to set up a poultry research unit attached to the Department of Agriculture’s animal research station at Wallaceville. - The Minister added that the subsidy of 3d a dozen would go directly to the producer, and egg floors would show that amount as an additional payment from which there wquld be deducted no commission or other charge. The subsidy on eggs would b.e paid on all deliveries of eggs suitable for immediate public consumption made to approved egg floors on and after Monday, June 5.