EGG DISTRIBUTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 June 1942, Page 4

EGG DISTRIBUTION

POWERS FOR MINISTER

WELLINGTON, June 18

Provision for a more equitable distribution of eggs to the general public in areas where scarcity obtains is made by the Egg Marketing Emergency Regulations, 1942, gazetted tonight. Though the wide powers of control which the regulations confer on rhe Minister for Marketing have not yet been applied and will be used only after consultation with the interests concerned, they make possible the virtual rationing of eggs to ordinary civilians. The regulations enable the Minister from time to time to declare any areas in New Zealand to be special egg marketing areas. In such declared areas, the Minister may determine the methods of wholesale and retail sale of eggs. He may stipulate from which sources retailers can buy eggs, and conversely he may specify the sole channels through which producers can sell. Furthermore, the Minister may stipulate what quantities a producer can sell to any one retailer, and the number of eggs which a retafier may supply to any customer. The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that in areas where eggs are required in indefinite quantities for essential civilian needs, such as those of invalids and babies, and for military and overseas consumption, the Minister can arrange for all supplies to be pooled ana an equitable distribution made to the public after these prior needs have been met. At present it is possible for producers to supply retailers direct, thus failing to contribute their share of eggs in essential directions and at the same time giving some retailers an advantage over others.