THE UNEMPLOYMENT REPORT AND THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 199, 21 July 1930, Page 7

THE UNEMPLOYMENT REPORT AND THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

[Published by Arrangement.]

A suggestion that many of the present unemployed could be profitably engaged in the poultry industry is included in the report of the committee appointed to investigate the question of unemployment in New Zealand. Naturally there is a proviso. The opinion is ventured that if stock food grains were admitted free new poultry farms could be established on a paying basis. No mention is made of the fact that the poultry industry is already suffering from over production. Further, as far as the North Island is concerned, the proposition is obviously hopeless when the present state of the industry as regards eggs for export is enquired into. If the abolition of the duty on fowl wheat is in the minds of those responsible for the report, the fallacy of such a step will be apparent to the North Island egg producer. The cost of bringing his wheat from the South Island is roughly equivalent to the amount of duty that would be lifted. He would, therefore, merely he on the same basis as the South Island poultry farmer is at the present time, and the unpleasant fact has to be faced that South Island egg producers cannot produce eggs for export at a profit without a Government subsidy that must come from the pockets of the taxpayers.