EGG PRODUCERS DISSATISFIED

Evening Star, Issue 25522, 28 June 1945, Page 6

EGG PRODUCERS DISSATISFIED

CONTROLS SHOULD BE LIFTED SHARP CRITICISM OF DEPARTMENT Dissatisfaction with the present control on the sale of eggs and the operation of the Egg Pool fund was expressed at the annual meeting last night of the Otago Poultry Producers' Association. The president (Mr F. G. Hanson) occupied the chair. _ After discussing the present restrictions on producers, the following resolutions of protest were unanimously carried:— " That this association strongly obi'ects to the action of the Internal MarLeting Division in reducing the price of preserved eggs by lsd a dozen, aud that the division be asked the reason for so doing when Wellington receives the same price as last season." " That this association views with alarm the increasing power of the Internal Marketing Division in being allowed to deduct whatever it sees lit from the stabilised price of eggs for pool funds, while Otago producers receive no benefits from such funds, aud that the division be asked to' refund the association's share of the funds." " That the Minister of Marketing be written to asking him when the control on the 6ale of eggs is to bo lifted, as at present the association is receiving no benefit from the subsidy, and it wishes to continue its own system of selling direct to retail shops." PRODUCERS' SUBSIDY. The subsidy of 3d a dozen granted to producers was merely a middleman's profit so far as the Otago district was concerned, said the chairman, moving the adoption of the annnual report and statement of accounts, for what ■ the merchant did not receive in commission was taken for Egg Pool funds. The matter was causing concern to producers, who were facing rising costs. _ Concern was also felt at the importation of Australian egg pulp, for the thousands of pounds paid to Commonwealth poultry farmers could well be paid to the New Zealand .industry. Instead of stimulating production in the Dominion, the Government appeared to be doing the opposite, added the chairman. The price of preserved eggs had been reduced in Dunedin during the season, but the Wellington prices had not been reduced, the return being 2s 3Jd and 2s 6d a dozen respectively. Some explanation was due to producers, both in regard to the importation of egg pulp and its effects on industry, as well as the question of preserved eggs. A further threat to consumers was forecast by Mr W; Denford, who understood that the Internal Marketing Department intended to undertake the preservation of eggs in the Otago district next season. He had received no satisfaction from a request that the Government should import a chilling machine for the use of producers themselves. The report and statement of accounts were adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted:—" President, Mr F. G. Hanson; vice-pre-sident, Mr W. Denford; committee— Messrs E. Anderson. C. H. Breese, T. Stedman, A. C. Goodlet, S. Korner. J. Johnstone, and D. Mitchell; secretary, Mr S. Korner.