POULTRY INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 230, 26 June 1935, Page 11

POULTRY INDUSTRY

Minister Opens Conference of New Federation HIGH HOPES FOR FUTURE Proposals for the improvement of the poultry industry generally were submitted to the first annual conference of the New Zealand Poultry Producers’ Federation, which opened in Wellington yesterday. Delegates were present from all parts of the Dominion. Addresses were given by the chairman of the Poultry Board, Mr. J. Hutton, and the retiring president of the New Zealand Poultry Association, Mr. A. J. Maclaine. Mr. Hutton welcomed the delegates, who included two women. The conference, he said, was the first of the Poultry Producers’ Federation, which represented some 16,000 producers as against 2400 in the old New Zealand Poultry Association, which after having been in operation for nearly a quarter of a century, was now being wound up. The conference would be asked to bring in rules and regulations, appoint officers, and manage the affairs of the poultrymen under the jurisdiction of the board. Mr. Maclaine said that while the Poultry Registration Act did not give them everything they wanted, it at least Was a beginning. He expressed appreciation of the assistance given to the industry by the Minister of Agriculture, Hon. C. E. Macmillan, the chief poultry expert. Mr. F. C. Brown, and Mr. J. N. McLean, honorary secretary to the association. . The conference was. officially opened by the Minister of Agriculture, who was given a warm welcome. Minister’s Speech. The Minister said it Was not necessary for him to stress the importance of the conference. There was at the present time, he thought, a good feeling in New Zealand toward the poultrykeepers. There was also a feeling that in the past for some reason or othei the industry had languished and that it did not deserve to be in that position. It rested with the poultry-keep-ers themselves whether or not the present friendly feeling toward the industry was maintained. "I believe,” he said, “that if you go on in the same way as you started you will find the general public will fall in behind you and realise that this is a great industry and one that is capable of steady and gradual development. I am perfectly certain that if you conduct yourselves in a reasonable manner you will be granted extended powers. The passing of the Act gave you your charter, but I know it is not what jou would like it to be or what I would like it to be, but at all events it is a beginning. We have laid a foundation, and if we built successfully on that foundation, then I have not the slightest doubt the New Zealand Parliament in its wisdom will grant the industry wider powers.” The Export Trade. Mr. Macmillan quoted figures to show that other countries were a long way ahead of New Zealand in the export of eggs. He said that for the .three years ended 1932, Denmark exported to the United Kingdom eggs to the value of £12,075,627; China,. £10,747,237; Aus't'ralia, £1,902,261', New Zealand, £lB,761. In other words, in the period reviewed, for every £1 worth of eggs exported to New Zealand, Australia exported £lOl. China £573. and Denmark £643. The Minister said that if it had not been for the efforts of the various organisations in New Zealand who had promoted egg-laying contests and improved the egg-laying ability of the fowls, the Dominion would have been in the unfortunate position of having to import or go short in its requirements. However, he was able to get a measure through the House that now provided a foundation. “I have not the slightest doubt that you will be coming to me with deputations. and I want to tell you that you will get a perfectly good hearing,’’ said the Minister amid applause. He paid tribute to the work of Mr. F. C. Brown, chief poultry inspector, Who recently retired on superannuation, and expressed the hope that he would live long and enjoy a well-earned rest from the worry of official duties. “I have very much pleasure m de-claring-this conference officially opened,” added the Minister, “and I trust your deliberations will be of such a nature that looking back in a few years’ time you will be able to say that the foundation of the industry was well and truly laid at your conference today.” Building Surely. Dr. C. J. Reakes, Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, also addressed the conference, at the invitation of the chairman. He stressed the necessity for building upon sound ground, and said he was sure that every step taken would be to the ultimate good of the industry as a whole. .The export trade offered great possibilities. The eggs which had been sent to the Old Country from time to time had been well received, and already the Dominion had achieved a reputation which, he trusted, would be maintained. He wished the conference every success. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President. Rev. AV. F. Stent (Carterton) ; vice-president, Captain A. G. Hackett (Auckland) ; secretarytreasurer, Mr. A. J. Severn (Upper Hutt) ; committee. Messrs. T. Gill (Oarnaru); and AV. Turner (Christchurch). Several hours were spent discussing domestic questions, and in the evening the conference adopted a constitution for the federation. The conference will be continued today. • _ ■ ■