THE EGG POSITION

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 90, 13 October 1916, Page 2

THE EGG POSITION

POULTRY ASSOCIATION AND

PRICES

Messrs. G. Finn, ex-president, and E. Gallichan, vice-president, *of the New Zealand Poultry. Association, speaking with the concurrence of the president, Mr. Boddington, explained to-day the position of the association with regard io'the marketing :of eggs. Xhey stated that the association did not concern itself with the price of eggs at all. That was a matter of egg circles .of producers to deal with. Its objects were educative more than anything else — to inform poultry-keepers how to get the best results from their birds, and to instruct them in the best methods of marketing their produce. Price regulation was no function of the association, nor had the association at any time taken steps to have prohibited or obstructed the im portal-ion of eggs. Opposition to the importation of foreign or Asiatic eggs was not made by the association as such, but its members had expressed their in-, dividual views on the subject and local egg circles, as such, had done so. However, if the imported eggs did not comply with the law, then the association was concerned with that. It had proof that the Asiatic eggs contained an excess of preservative—2 .per cent., in fa-ct. This was held to be in violation of the Sale of FC'Od and Drugs Act. The association- took action in such a case. The "Minister for Public Health had been communicated with, and his finding was that the eggs were wholesome as food, hut he omitted reference to the quantity of preservative they contained, and which the association held was excessive.

Again, the association had no objection to the importation of American eggs, provided they complied with the law as to stamping and were fit for huma.n consumption. If they were not stamped there was the probability ■ that they, would lie confused with unstamped New Zealand eggs. Such imported eggs had been of indifferent quality, but even if of good quality, being carried in the chiller, had to be used forthwith.

' The objection 'to the Chinese iggswas that they were "enemy" eggs. They were still being prepared by Germans in China, and therefore should not be permitted to enter New Zealand, being enemy goods. To buy them was undoubtedly trading with the enemy. " Of that we have evidence," said Mr. Gadlichan. " They used to be shipped from China to New Zealand via Hamburg before the war. They come another way now, but that they are enemy eggs there is no doubt." " On those grounds and on grounds of public health! they should be excluded if what we hold to be the facts about them ar.e correct. Of that we have proof. In .these circumstances only the association objects to their importation. We do not object to the' principle of the importation of tygs on the ground that they compete with locally produced eggs. "It was not the association that interviewed the Minister, but a Christchurch organisation, which has made it appear that it is the Poultry Association of New Zealand. A wrong impression has been created, and we are anxious to remove it." .

It was pointed out that if importation of eggs for pastrycooks were prohibited, then —if they paid the price— pastrycooks could absorb the available local supply, and leave the market .for the general .public bare. . ■■• ' • ' Eggs "were scarce because birds were scarce. ...'BiTds w-ere."scarce .because'. ~%t the beginning, of the war feed became so high in price that stock was killed off wholesale, and people went out. of- the business. That explained \vhy_ the price of eggs kept up_. The;' association had nothing to do with the price.