THE EGG TRADE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1932, Page 7

THE EGG TRADE

QUOTA AGAINST CHINA

MR J. B. MERRETT’S SUGGESTION.

LONDON, October 28. Mr J. B. Merrett, of the Australian egg marketing organisation, writes to the “Poultry World,” upholding the claims of Dominion eggs. His letter i,s a protest against another letter which deprecated business relations with the Dominions. y

“Our Dominion,” lie says, “hav e a right to trade in this country. It is remarkable that foreign countries who take a. pound from this country and spend back 4s 6d are applauded, while Australia and New - Zealand spend practically a pound for every pound received. From 1931 Australia brought from Great Britain, £586,600,000 worth of goods. Surely this does not look as if their only object ‘is to get rich at our expense’ ? “Our Dominions send 'about 30 out cf every 1000 eggs consumed in Great Britain, while foreigners send 430 out of 1000.

“Great concern is frequently expressed at the encroachment Dominionl eggs are malting on the English market. In a sense it is to be regretted" because the liome producer loses good prices in "winter, while he tides over the summer season at cheap rates. The market is not affected solely by Dominion eggs. Foreign countries unload in enormous quantities, even though exchange and duty are 35 per cent, against them. China sends over £3,000,000 worth of frozen eggs to Great Britain. If this section of the egg business were transferred to our Dominions and the foreign shell eggs were more heavily taxed, the English producer would have the market to himself. “What about an adjustment of this kind? Are your Headers ready to support it? The plan suggests itself to me, hut we shall need the support of the home producer for a quota against China in order to encourage a rapid production in the Dominions to .supply the frozen eggs needed by Great Britain.”