EGG MARKETING

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 305, 23 November 1945, Page 3

EGG MARKETING

NEW PLANS ADVANCED

Tentative proposals for the organised marketing or eggs, to, replace wartime controlled marketing (during whicii the industry has been subsidised to the. extent of 3d a dozen) were discussed and endorsed in principle, by the conference, in Palmerston N.ortn yesterday, of the Wellington Registered Poultry-keepers’ Association. The proposals, advanced by a subcommittee, occupied the attention ol the conference for the greater part ol the day and are to be put lorward to the” New Zealand Poultry Board. The scheme, unanimously adopted, had the endorsement of representatives of egg floors and merchandising interests Mr A. \V» Parton (the chairman' said that for some time the inter-pro vmcial council had felt that all should get together to solve the problems confronting the industry. Whatever decision was arrived at would be forwarded to the proper authorities for consideration.

Mr H. Knight, a member of the Wellington sub-committee which draft ed the scheme, read the details of it He stated that the first thing for consideration was whether the producers wanted organisation and, if so, what type it should be. While at one time producers desired “producer” control, they had found that this was not practicable. A national organisation was a necessity. The Internal Marketing Department was the only body that had the statutory authority to carry out the marketing of eggs. It was his opinion that control was more important than organisation. If an organisation was producer-owned it was unsound. There had been grave problems in Wellington until the pooling system had been inaugurated. The whole of the plan suggested centred in the provincial pooling scheme. He went on to refer to each clause, with brief comments on each. The payout in each district would bear the same_ relationship to other districts as did prices. It would have no connection with stocks of | eggs on hand. There would be only one payout in a district, so that there could be no comparisons or criticisms except of the payout itself. The reading of the scheme took two hours. Mr Kiiight pointed out that it was set out as a basis for discussion.

Mr T. H. Jones asked whether it would be possible to put the freight rates on to the eggs in Wellington and Mr Knight replied that that was one of the points proposed. HAWKE’S BAY OPPOSITION.

Mr J. Miller (Hawke s Bay) said his eonnnitree and the producers in his area would be very hurc if the proposed scheme went through. They i wanted the right io pulp tneir own ! eggs and hand back to the producers j the profit they should have. what I they produced they wanted for tliem- | selves, and they would fight very strongly any movement emanating from Wellington to control the price of eggs. Mr E. B. Matthews (Lower Hutt) said the fundamental ol the .scheme was there and they should act on it. Mrs C. P. Douglas (Blenheim): Are we forced to sell on our local market at 2d a dozen less than the price in Wellington? Mr Knight said that under the scheme that would happen. Mr N. R. McMurtney (Blenheim) said the cost of sending the eggs to Wellington had always been borne by the producer. This cost, however, could be paid out of the pool and it would be a better method. Mr Matthews said it was all very well to say the various districts would pulp their surplus eggs, but what were they going to do with the pulp ? They were glad at one time to send their eggs to Wellington. Mr Kebbell replied that instead of buying pulped eggs from Australia, they could sell jheir own pulp in Hawke’s Bay. ENCOURAGING CONSUMPTION. Mr G. W. Armstrong (Poverty Bay) said the industry had apparently accepted orderly marketing. If so, there would have to bi accepted also some measure of control. Mr D. G. Begley (Government nominee on the Poultry Board) suggested that en deavours might be made to retain a 2d per dozen subsidy on eggs to carry the industry through a period of high-cost economy. The industry had to face up to the provision of finance to further encourage the consumption of eggs. A strong fund would be necessary to protect the industry. Mr Begley suggested that the scheme be recommended to the - board for full examination. Mr Knight sftid it appeared that only trial and error would prove the scheme. He urged That no definite decision be made, but that the proposals be placed before the Poultry Board. The chairman moved: That the scheme of marketing as outlined be sent to the Ne\v Zealand Poultry Board with "a request that the sub-committee which prepared the report, together with the four producers’ members of the Wellington Egg-Marketing Advisory Committee, be invited to consider the scheme in relation to a Dominion marketing scheme.” The motion was seconded by Mr F. W. Marchant (Manawatu) and carried without dissent.

Mr J. H. Kissling (Manawatu) suggested that urgency might be accorded consideration of the suggestions, at a dato sufficiently early to allow the scheme to be considered at the Dominion conference in February. He moved to this effect. An assurance was -given on behalf of the Poultry Board that the latter was fully alive to the need for urgency. There was a general discussion on the subject, in which it was pointed out that those engaged in the industry wanted to know what the future held, particularly in regard to the repeal of the emergency regulations dealing with egg marketing. In view of the explanations, Mr Kissling withdrew his motion. A resolution was carried urging the Poultry Board to approach the Minister eoneerned to clarify the position regarding the duration of the emergency eggmarketing regulations. That the National Egg Marketing Advisory Committee be invited to consider setting up a reserve fund was a further motion carried.