POULTRY BOARD

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 158, 1 April 1937, Page 8

POULTRY BOARD

To Continue Work In Present Form

“AN ESSENTIAL LINK”

“It is not the intention of the Government to abolish the New Zealand Poultry Board.” This assurance was given in a statement yesterday by the Minister of Agriculture, Bon. W. Lee Martin. He said the board was doing valuable work and it was expected that it would continue to function in its present form for some considerable time. "I am being constantly asked the in-tentivi:-s of the Government with respect to the poultry board, which was established under the Poultry-runs Registration Act, 1933,” stated the Minister. He explained that the position had become confused as the result of the appointment of a director of local marketing, as it was assumed by some people that the Poultry-runs Act would be repealed end be replaced by regulations under the Primary Products Marketing Act.

“The policy to be adopted to regulate the marketing of eggs has been given serious consideration,” he said, “and it is probable that some alterations will require to be made. Whatever action is eventually taken, it will be essential for the industry to be represented by some organisation of producers, but plans cannot be completed until Parliament meets later in the year. In the meantime, the Government views the poultry board as an essential link with the industry, and appreciates the assistance it is giving in the formulation of plans for the benefit of the industry. It is therefore expected that the board will continue to function in its prpsent form for some considerable time, and that the registration of poultry runs will be carried out as laid down in the Act.” The Minister expressed the belief thaf poultry-keepers would recognise the need to support the board in its activities, and that the necessary finance from registration fees would be provided without the enforcement of the penalty provisions of the Act.