POULTRY INDUSTRY

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 85, 10 April 1917, Page 3

POULTRY INDUSTRY

CONFERENCE CONCLUDED

VARIOUS REMITS CONSIDERED

The annual conference of the NewZealand Poultry Association, was concluded last night. Yesterday considerable business was done in addition "to that recorded in last night's Post. Mr. H. M. Boddington occupied the chair. . A TAX PROPOSAL. Mr. A. S. Holmes (Auckland Co-opera-tive Egg Producers' Association) moved: " That ijjis conference ask the Government to pass an Act enforcing poultrymen who produced for sale to pay a tax, on somewhat similar lines to the orchardist tax, and that such money. so collected by the Government be utilised for the improvement of the poultry industry." In doing so, he referred to the example j of the orchardists. What brought the j price of eggs down more than anything ! else were the supplies from people who did not make their living out of the industry. What he urged was that all people who sold eggs should pay a small tax. The whole of the money would be spent in favour of the industry, and without going to Parliament cap in hand a great deal of good work could . be done. ... ■'.'■'

Mr. E> W. Griffiths (Auckland) supported the .remit. Many people were in too small a way to join an egg circle, but they affected the market.

Mr. J. B. Merrctt (Christchurch) said the remit affected the small working man, whose wife was able to collect a few shillings by. selling eggs. For that reason, he would oppose the motion. They should try and secure as members of the egg circles all who had eggs to sell. • v i. '

Mr. H. H. Armstrong (Wairarapa) urged that the small man should be' encouraged to produce more eggs. \ .'■

Further discussion on this question was postponed until the next conference.

RAILWAY FACILITIES. Mr. E. W. Griffiths (Auckland) moved the following remit:—" That the attention of the Government be again drawn to the high railage charges on- eggs as compared with the railage charges on fruit, and thai; the former charges be reduced to the latter." In doing so he stressed the heed of rapid transit in the poultry and egg business. Owing to the high, freightage it was at present impossible to utilise the mail trains.

The remit was referred to the incoming executive. . ' ■

The conference unanimously passed a remit supporting an application to the Government for 1 the appointment <of a 1 resident poultry instructor for the Auckland province. STAMPING EGGS. Mr. E. "W. Griffiths, also on. behalf of Auckland Co-operative. Producers' Association, moved:—"That, in the interest.. of both the public and the. producer, the Government pass an Act requiring all other eggs than fresh to be stamped,. 'preserved,' cool stored,' etc., as the case may be." ' . '■

This caused considerable discussion, and the motion was eventually amended to read:' "ThaVia the interests of both the public and the producer, the Government pass regulations requiring all cool-stored and preserved eggs maybe." In this form it was agreed to unanimously.

PROTEST AGAINST CARELESSNESS. Mr. A. S. Holmes ((Auckland) moved: "That the Government's attention be dra\vn to the excessive number of; valuable pedigree eggs that are broken in transit, each breeding season, either by the Postal or Railway Department's neglect in careful handling; the break-' ages, causing serious k>ss to both the buyer and the seller, and. also the industry." He was supported by Mr. S. H. Scott, who stated that it was at his instance that the remit was sent forward. Mr. Scott said that he, personally, had suffered great -loss. Carelessness was usually the cause of breakages. The remit was adopted unanimously. . NO MORTALITY AMONG CHICKS.

A suggestion for the Auckland Co-op. Egg Producers' Association, brought forward in. the form of a remit, was as follows:—"That the Government make an investigation on the .cause of the mortality of chicks."

Mr. Pratt, who moved the above, said that the matter was one for the Board of Agriculture.

"More chicks die owing to the lack of common sense than anything else," stated Mr. J. B. Merrett. "I have never seen an epidemic in New Zealand. There is no mortality among chicks in the Bominion unless it be due to carelessness." The matter was one > which could be safely left to the Departmental instructors.'

The remit- was withdrawn. . AGENTS' ACCOUNTS.

Mr. W. Jessen (Wellington) moved-: "That, with a view to protect the egg suppliers, and secure. to them the full price their eggs realise, this conference requests the Government to audit the account's of the agents in New Zealand who sell eggs on commission."

There were many protests against the remit, and whe,n it was.put Mr. Jessen alone voted/in favour of it.

EXPERT 6RGANISER WANTED.

Mi. H. W. Childs, Kaiapoi, moved : " That the Government be asked to grant a direct, personal, .responsible representation on the Department of Agriculture, by' the appointment of an.'officer, with a thorough practical and commercial insight into-the poultry industry, whose business it will be to organise and foster .the industry to the utmost, and to advise the Department in all matters pertaining thereto." He claimed that the ignorance of the Government regarding the' poultry industry was the cause of ;the comparative neglect of the industry. He gave instances of what he termed as ') the blundering of the politicians." • ' -■'

The remit was supported by Mr. E, Gallichan. . >

Mr. Merrett said that -if , the time was not ripe for the appointment of an organiser, they should at least 'endeavour to obtain representation on the Board ofj Agriculture. The remit was carried amidst applause. Two succeeding remits, both moved by Mr. Childs, were also adopted. They read:—

(1) That the Government be asked to investigate the immense possibilities of the poultry industry as a part solution of the after-war problem of settlement of soldiers on the land, in view of the huge markets that will become available in Great Britain for eggs and poultry. (2) That an open letter be drafted to tlie Minister of Agriculture, with copies of same to members of Parliament throughout the Dominion, or other responsible bodies as may be determined. Such letter to set forth the claims of the industry as indicated. Context of letter to' be furnished by delegate.

ELECTION OP OFFICERS. The. election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mr. E. Gallichan; vice-presidents, Messrs, H. W. Childs and A.-.S. Holmes; secretary and treasurer, Mr. J. B. Merrett; assistant secretary, Mr. J. A. Simson; executive board, Messrs. H. M. Boddington, G. Finn, A. 0. Mumby, A. Love, and W. Christie ; auditor,. Mr. C. Renn ;.! 'adviser, Mr. F. G. Brown.

It- was decided to hold next year's confereace at W.ellinfiton durin.c Easter,