A MARKET MYSTERY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 96, 24 April 1942, Page 4

A MARKET MYSTERY

The explanation given by the Minister of Marketing for the shortage of eggs leaves several things unexplained. The present shortage is so acute that "for the remainder of this week it would be impossible for distributors to make any quantity at all available for sale in retail shops or restaurants." But last week and for several weeks previously there were shortages too, with housewives able to obtain only severely rationed supplies. Why is this' so when, before the war, there were efforts to build up- an export market to dispose of the surplus production? The Minister of Marketing gives three reasons: (1) the season; (2) heavy demands of the military forces; (3) difficulties in organising additional supplies frpm the South Island. The first and third reasons should not be peculiar to a war year, and if they were overcome in peace years they should not be insuperable now. The second reason—military demand —was advanced by the Minister previously, but we showed then, from the figures quoted, that the supplies for the forces were not more, but actually less than the average consumption of eggs by civitlians.. That is to say, the soldier had fewer eggs than he had consumed on the average when he was a civilian. So this factor should have lessened the shortage, not aggravated it. On this occasion the Minister does not quote quantities for the military demand, so we cannot set military use against the diminution of civilian demand. The. public would like a more complete explanation. Control of egg supplies now rests in Government hands. It is a part of the much-lauded scheme of planned distribution and production. How does it work out? Is it better or worse than private business marketing? The public can see for themselves. And if excuses are to be offered, let us not have the war excuse without a clear statement of just how the war has affected the position.