CONFIDENCE INSPIRING

Evening Star, Issue 19268, 5 June 1926, Page 3

CONFIDENCE INSPIRING

PROFIT margin on poultry INDUSTRY IN OTAGO REVIEWED Although food appeared to bo high in cost, the good prices for eggs and poultry in the market provided ra satisfactory margin that should inspire confidence in the poultry industry, stated Sir J. T. Harris, at the annual meeting last night of the Otago Egg Circle. Mr James Hutton (Waianakarua) preThe tenth annual report stated that .the membership was now 146 140 active and one honorary. During the year ten new members had joined, one had resigned, and thirty-six had given up poultry keeping. The latter were chiefly small suppliers who, with those on a large scale, had found that the high cost of wheat and other foodstuff made it very difficult to secure a margin over the cost of production to compensate for labor entailed in the industry. During tho year the selling agents (Messrs Fraser and Co.) bad disposed of about 172,000 dozen eggs on behalf of members. The Oaniaru Egg Circle bad continued to market its eggs through the selling agents, who bad handled some 218,500 dozen eggs from all sources. Owing to the Home shipping strike, no eggs were exported last flush season; but as the Exhibition was in progress the greater portion of the surplus was used in Dunedin. . ie association had done, and was doing, good work in the interests of producers and the public. Owing to tho represensations by tho association, the Cavern nient had agreed to _ admit, poultry wheat into the dominion duty free during the present shortage. The committee had endeavored to reduce expenses, and the secretary had assisted by voluntarily refunding £lO of his salary. Thanks wore extended to Mr C. Cussen (poultry instructor) for the help given members on their farms and at the Exhibition, and also to the selling agents for the able manner in winch they had continued to attend to the marketing of the produce. The adoption of the report and balance-sheet was moved by tho chairman, who congratulated members on a fairly successful year. Last year it was thought that eggs would he short in supply, and that famine prices would be obtained for the ensuing year. That Bohecy had not come true. Not only their been sufficient eggs for all requirements, but there was a considerable carry-over of pulp and preserved eggs. The policy of the circle in proposing to export 20,000 dozen eggs therefore had been fully justified. Unfortunately tho shipping strike had stopped the export, and had also diverted the Canterbury surplus to Dunedin; the northern eggs, though, were successfully disposed of by tho agents. An attempt had bean made last winter by interested parties to induce the Government to permit the importation of pulp on the grounds of scarcity in the dominion. However, the danger had been averted by the New Zealand Poultry Association proving that enough pulp could be produced; Tho association and the Minister were to he thanked for their interest.

Owing to the mild weather the supplies of eggs this winter had kept up longer than usual, and, consequently, prices had been on the low sido, stated Mr Hutton. It had been found necessary to fiend a. considerable quantity northward to keep the market' steady. Due to the high cost of poultry foods, the increase in the price of summer eggs was necessary. If tlic industry were to continue to prosper, it would be necessary to maintain the price similarly this year. To do so prohably considerable quantities would ha to to be exported during the ensuing year. The surplus of pulp in tbo dominion should induce producers to export in quantity. It was most regrettable that more poultry men would not, assist to keep the New Zealand Association going. Only by pulling together could they succeed in making the poultry industry one of the most important in the country.

Mr J. T. Harris seconded tlip report, making; a plea for (lie co-operation of nil poultgMiieu. Mr Macdonald said that organisation was greatly needed at present. The efforts of ' the Canterbury and Otago Association*! bad prevented the importation of Asiatic egg pulp. “ One year of a free market and importations of egg pulp will damn our markets,” ho said. The bakers would purchase the imported pulp, despite its quality. The men iu the industry should join any poultry body existing. Mr Harris claimed that the margin between expenses and receipts was a satisfactory one, and the pouHrymen should he confident. Although the price of food appeared to be on the high side, the egg prices and the receipts from the sale ot poultry gave a reasonable return. The motion was carried. It was derided that the levy on members should he Jd per dozen on one month’s eggs in the flush season.

Messrs Fraser and Co. were reappointed selling agents. The election n( officers resulted : President. Mr James Hutton (AVaianakarua); vice-president. Mr J. T. Harris (Dunedin); committee —Messrs F. Ellis CWaitnhunn), J. T. Panl._ F. G. Mountford (Waitnki Sooth), N. Ross (Waianakarun). M. S. Hill (Makari), P. Armstrong (Taieri). A. Campbell (Herbert), and J. Fraser (selling agent); secretary-treasurer, Mr. A. M. Lov.e (Green Island) : auditor. Mr P. F. Bennett (Green Island). At the request of Mr Love, the salary of the secretary-treasurer was reduced to £2O, and Ins interest in endeavoring to minimise expenditure was commended.