IMPORTANCE REALISED

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 75, 30 March 1939, Page 17

IMPORTANCE REALISED

POULTRY INDUSTRY

MINISTER'S ASSURANCE

An assurance that he and his Department realised the importance of the poultry industry, and were fully alive to the difficulties it had to face, was given by the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin) in an address to the New Zealand Poultry Producers' Federation's annual conference at Wellington yesterday afternoon. "As far as our officers are concerned they are fully alive to the possibilities of the industry," said the Minister, "but it is surrounded by difficulties. We have felt that there hasn't been that same unity between the poultry producers as there has been in other sections. The outstanding feature is that practically half the householders in the Dominions-some 160,000 to 170,000 —keep poultry. The majority of them have only a small number .of birds, and in that respect organisation is difficult. The work you have done has shown that you, too, are alive to the position in regard to the industry you are representing."

The Minister said that in the reorganisation that had recently taken place in the Department to provide for animal research and animal husbandry provision had been made for the poultry industry, and it was hoped that the research to be carried out would render some assistance to poultry producers. , Although there were heavy losses in poultry New Zealand was fortunately not affected by disease to the same extent as in other countries.

"I know you are concerned about the future and are anxious that the Government should do more than it has seen its way clear to do up to the present," said Mr. Martin. "Whatever takes place in that direction -comes under the Marketing Act, which is administered by Mr. Nash. 'I think you have had some talks with the Minister, and I am sure he is anxious that the assistance desired should be given. If there is any way you can help to bring about the position you desire I shall be only too pleased and I am sure my officers will give all the assistance they possibly can. I want delegates to feel that the Department is very interested in the problems that' face you and is keenly alive to the difficulties you have to contend with. That is one of the reasons for my presence here this afternoon."

The Minister indicated that he would be pleased to answer any questions delegates desired to ask him.

The president (the Rev. W. F. Stent) said that producers were anxious to know about the future policy of the Government with regard to assistance for the egg-laying competitions.

The Minister said the Department felt that the competitions should be placed on a more satisfactory basis, and that if that was not done it could not see its way to continue the assistance.

At the request of the Minister, Mr. A. H. Cockayne, Director-General of Agriculture, who accompanied him, said he had given definite instructions that the diseases of poultry as they existed in New Zealand were to'be given full consideration by the new Animal Diseases Division. With regard to the egg-laying competitions he stated that he had placed £200 on the Department's estimates this year to give immediate assistance and he could practically give an undertaking that that money would be available.

One delegate asked the Minister if he would give the meeting an assurance that the Stock Foods Bill would be introduced this year.

Mr. Martin said he was unable to give that promise.