SHORTAGE OF EGGS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20490, 26 February 1941, Page 11

SHORTAGE OF EGGS

PRODUCTION DECLINE NOT CAUSED BY WAR REPLY TO MINISTER (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this clay. The shortage of eggs at the present time is not due to war conditions but to a reduction in production that has been going on since 1937. A representative of the poultry industry said to-day that the statement by the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. J. G. Barclay, could only be taken as camouflage by those who knew the true position and the request to housewives to use fewer eggs and more meat must be regarded as a mistaken one by all who appreciated just how high the consumption of meat was already. When it was said that eggs were being used by the military and naval authorities it should be remembered that these men were consuming eggs in their peace time occupations and it was doubtful if they were getting as many now as formerly. If eggs were being sent to Egypt the position here could be relieved by sending Australian eggs which were in good supply and much cheaper than New Zealand eggs. The real position in the poultry industry was known to all producers. It was simply that costs were too high and poultry feed so difficult to secure that many had gone out of business. The opportunity for employment elsewhere at shorter hours and less worry had contributed. There was ample evidence to show the position was due to a general contraction in production and also to prove that there was urgent need for action to enable the industry to carry on.