EAT FEWER EGGS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20493, 1 March 1941, Page 9

EAT FEWER EGGS

appeal to housewives ANSWER TO CRITIC MINISTER SURPRISED (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. “I am glad to see that my statement concerning egg prices and supplies has created so much interest, but 1 am surprised to note the remarks emanating from Mr. T. S. Dove, of Christchurch, taking particular exception to the appeal I made for housewives to buy fewer eggs and more meat. It was also suggested that my statement of the position was not in accordance with the facts,” said the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. J. G. Barclay, last night. “Reiterating my previous remarks I would point out that the egg supplies are falling off in accordance with seasonal conditions and there is at present an abnormal wartime demand. These facts cannot be disputed and are ample justification for my appeal to housewives to be satisfied for tjie time being with fewer eggs apd to use more meat and other local produce in plentiful supply. “I would like to explain that there have been continuous requests from district egg committees for increased prices on the grounds that these increases were necessary to bring the public demand more into relationship with the seasonal limitation of supply. Producer’s Income “My appeal was not made with the idea of reducing the income of the poultry producer as the prices he is already receiving are, if anything, above the average for this time of the year. As Mr. Dove should know, the main period of flush production, from August to January, is the time during which poultry farmers look for stabilised prices to cover the great bulk of their production. During this period of peak production the Government has on several occasions relieved the situation by arranging for visible market surpluses to be converted into pulp or exported in shell to assist producers to secure a satisfactory average return. “Eggs fall substantially in quantity from February to June and certain price increases are unavoidable, but for any section of the producing industry to argue that it should be allowed to exploit the position in wartime will not meet with public approval, particularly when other sections of producers are faced with marketing difficulties and the prospect of a surplus. Wartime Demands “In my previous statement I pointed out that we were faced with a wartime demand. For the sake of anyone doubting this assertion, I may add that in 12 months 3,000,000 eggs were purchased for the armed services. In addition large quantities have been placed upon transports and Ipival vessels, and ships that in the ordinary course would be stocking up with eggs in the United Kingdom are now purchasing in New Zealand. These unusual demands will continue. “As a soldier in the last war, I can understand Mr. Dove questioning whether the rank and file of the army are supplied with eggs, but conditions have changed and the aim of the New Zealand Government to-day is that the soldier should receive a dietary variation comparable with that of the average home. “I am sure that with this explanation of the position there will be every willingness on the part of housewives, and particularly the mothers, wives and sweethearts of men already serving in our armed forces, to make some contribution by way of a temporary adjustment to the food supply by bringing such items as meat into greater prominence in the breakfast ration.”