EXPORT OF EGGS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16824, 7 April 1915, Page 8

EXPORT OF EGGS.

A VENTURE.THAT FAILED.

[Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, April 6

Th© report of the Export of Eggs Committeo submitted to-day to tho Poultry Breeders' Conference, was to tho effect that last year the first organised venture in the exportation ot eggs from New Zealand had taken placo. It was anticipated that such prices would be realised as would show a considerable margin over local prices, but the reverse was tho case, a considerable loss accruing to consignees. The outstanding feature of all tho shipments had been tho condition in which they were landed at Vancouver, and another the great discrepancy between the prices of local eggs thero and those sent from New Zealand. At the timo that preparations wero in hand here for the first shipment a cablegram was received stating that local eggs were soiling at fifty cents, but in face of this -iNew Zealand eggs were sold at not more than thirty-five cents. Tho condition in which New Zealand eggs wero landed was little short of scandalous, a great many of them being totally unfit for uso. According to reports received from the brokers mould had' formed as tho result of improper temperature and bad conditions in the cool chamber. One result of this was that heavy charges for drying, candling and repacking were incurred, in addition to the loss entailed in tho large number ot eggs which were isent to the incinerator or destructor. As a contrast to tho unsatisfactory state in which New Zealand eggs were landed in Vancouver, a shipment of 634 crates of San Francisco eggs was land'ed in Wellington recently in first-class condition. The amount of breakages vraa reported to be not more than one-half per cent. Three shipments wero sent from Wellington, the prices realised being 33& cents, 12.57 d and 35 cents respectively. These netted to suppliers after paying all. charges, "Jd, 4 7-16 d and 6_Jd respectively, showing a loss approximately of oid, 9d and 7d" per dozen spectively. General reports indicated that the* eggs were not carried under the most suitable conditions in the egg chamber, and the heavy loss incurred was most discouraging. It was understood that last season the Union Company made an allowance in respect of damaged eggs. The position was considerably accentuated by the condition in which eggs coming tho opposite way across the Pacific had been recently landed in Wellington. It was extremely desirable that the reason for the failure in tho case of exports and the success in the caso of other peoples' imports, should be cleared up. Mr Hawke remarked that the whole difficulty of export arose from the fact that it did not pay the shipping companv to take eggs. What was required for eggs was dry, cold storage. He suggested that the association should sisk the Government to experiment with the cold' storage of eggs with a view to ascertaining the best» conditions for export. Mr Massey told a deputation from tho Poultry Conference to-day that the Government had no intention of asking Parliament for any reduction in the duty on eggs. (Hear, hear.) The stamping of eggs would be a fair thing in the interests of consumers, and it practicable the proposal would be carried out. So far as tho export of eggs was concerned there was news of the satisfactory shipment ot" a consignmentfrom Motueka to London with a temperature of 40 to 4-3dee. and if this could be done there should he no difficulty about shipping eggs to Vancouver.

Mr J. B. Merrott: Wo lost half of our consignment. Mr Mas«ev said that T>e would consult the Minister of Ra-ilways on the question of lower freights for eeg.s, and givo instructions to have the results of egg tests printed.