EGG PRODUCERS’ MEETING

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26651, 9 February 1952, Page 2

EGG PRODUCERS’ MEETING

BRANCH FORMJED IN CHRISTCHURCH MARKETING OF PRODUCTS “We think there should be a local branch and thaj members of the proposed branch should be responsible to it and not to the Canterbury-Westland council,’’ said Mr E. Chambers, chairman at a meeting of the CanterburyWestland Poultry-Keepers’ Association called last evening to discuss the formation of a body to control the domestic affairs of local egg producers. A branch in Christchurch, said Mr Chambers, would be fairer to such branches as Timaru, Ashburton, Waimate, and Oxford. The present situation allowed Christchurch to lean on council funds for its finances, whereas smaller branches in the association had to finance themselves. A branch in Christchurch would mean that association funds would- be used for the good of the whole Canterbury-West-land district instead of Christchurch alone. Added advantages of having such a body were that meetings could be called for general business more than the once a year the association met; matters of greater importance could be discussed without having to call a special meeting of the association; and t it would be an encouragement to members of the industry to take more interest in domestic affairs. After some discussion the motion, “That a Christchurch branch of the Canterbury-Westland Poultry-keepers' Association be formed,” was carried. A committee of five was elected to serve on the newly-formed branch. They are Messrs A. M. Hill, C. Tritt, M. Powell, E. Chambers, and C. G. Clark. Future of the Industry Reports were read to the meeting by Mr T. S. Dove (producer member on the New Zealand Poultry Board) and Mr A. Fazackerley (Government member on the New Zealand Poultry Board) on proposals by the Government concerning the management and marketing of eggs and pulp. They said that for some time the Government had had a large voice in the marketing of eggs. During the war years this was of necessity—but now when New Zealand could produce nearly all her own egg supplies and importation of pulp from overseas was unnecessary the stage had been reached when Governmental control was no longer needed. It was now intended that the industry submit a plan to the Government to take over the marketing of its own products. Although no vote was taken on the issue the meeting seemed to view the proposals with favour. If the industry took over the marketing it was expected that price control of eggs and pulp would be retained, said Mr C. Bashford (secretary of the Canterbury-Westland Poultry-Keepers’ Association).