SALE OF EGGS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 4, 4 July 1940, Page 17

SALE OF EGGS

TO BE REGULATED

NECESSARY CONTROL

i , : , "For some years past, conditions ob- ;-- "taining in the production and marketing of eggs have become so disorganised as to constitute a continuous source of worry to producers on the one hand and irritation to consumers' on the other," the Minister of Marketing (the Hon. W. Nash) said when ex- . .plaining the Egg Marketing Regula--\;.-turns which were passed yesterday -morning. "It has become necessary, therefore, .;,■ to introduce some measure of cor:\ ordination between supply and de- : • ■ mand to enable consumers, particularly in the four main centres, to be assured of obtaining a reasonable share of New Zealand's production of eggs at '• periods when the quantities produced locally are insufficient to meet the de- ' .-mand. Producers have also suffered as •v a result of this disorganisation which has been reflected in violent price ■ fluctuations tending to undermine the • economic stability of the industry. "In order to adjust this disability the regulations provide for the licensing of wholesale distributors in the declared marketing areas and the further licensing of those producers who desire to sell eggs produced on their .own poultry runs by way of wholesale within these areas. Wholesale distributors in particular will be required • to satisfy the Internal Marketing Division that they have adequate facilities for the grading and quality examination of all eggs offered for sale. Through this machinery of licensed wholesalers the Internal Marketing Division, by co-ordinating all activities, will regulate the supply of eggs in accordance with consumer demand in each market. GRADING OF EGGS. "Consumers will also be ,vitally interested in additional provisions of the regulations which require all eggs sold . within . the four main centres to be correctly graded according to size, and in the case of" all retail sales, to be clearly marked so that the housewife . is able to see at once the grade ofjj . ■■ r. eggs offered for sale." j, ; , Eggs would be sold in heavy, stand- f' _ afd, medium, and pullet grades in fu- j ttire, Mr. Nash said, and eggs of less t than lioz would not be offered for : sale by retailers. \ "It is also intended that the Internal • . Marketing Division should institute a i publicity programme for the purpose | of assisting housewives in a know- c ledge of ruling market prices from day to day in respect of each grade \ of eggs," Mr. Nash said. "Where any q doubt exists as to the grade or qual- a ity of eggs being sold by any retailer, t an inquiry should be immediately 3 made through any branch of the In- 3 .'"tefrial Marketing Division requesting "J an investigation." \ "In the initial stages the regulations 1 . are intended to apply only to Auck- 3, Jand, Wellington, Christchurch, and c Dunedin, but provision is made for a •jnthe extension of the regulations to additional areas as the need 0 ""arises. Authority has also been taken by the Internal Marketing Division to }' control the -manufacture and selling c ' of chilled and preserved eggs, and egg pulp, so that adequate supplies of *! eggs in these, forms may be available ' to the consuming public and manufacturers during the months of natural shortage. "Altogether," concluded the Minister, "the regulations will fill a need which is felt by both producers and consumers, and provided that the full to-operation': of all sections of the com- c "inunity is available, their successful c Operation is assured." p