PROBLEMS OF THE DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21223, 1 July 1932, Page 17

PROBLEMS OF THE DAY.

NEED TO ORGANISE EXPORTS

IMPORTANCE OF QUALITY.

BY A.B.C

With every source of income greatly shrunken, while production costs remain high, tho poultry industry faces the darkest hour in its history, unless the ago of miracles be not past. Handicapped heavily by the low prices ruling for eggs, cockerels and hens, coupled with feed prices set at an irreducible figure by the iniquitous wheat duties, we are also faced with a prospective large increase in production. The policy of the Government in placing unemployed on small holdings may possibly bo a good one,' and although it has yet to be tried out, it would look on the face of it Bound. It is stated that part of the living of people so settled is to come from the keeping of poultry. No doubt all of these folk will keep more or less birds; tho aggregate will run into thousands, and the production of these birds will come on a market already at saturation point. Where lies the sense in settling these people on small holdings by on© Government department, while another department resolutely makes it impossible for them to obtain even a partial living from the poultry they are advised to keep 1 '' i Need of Unity.

In export lies to some extent salvation, but export can only be done at a loss to those supporting it with feed prices as they are, while with cheaper feeding it could be made profitable to all concerned. Loss or not, export" must be encouraged again this year during the flush months of production, the only alternative being disaster for producers. The policy, openly avowed, of some of our producers is detrimental to the interests of the industry and greatly to be deplored. All efforts to obtain the support of this illadvised coterie fail, for the reason frankly expressed by it. This reason is that "the organising of regular export trade will keep in the industry many who, if left to the mercies of the local market will 'bust' and leave a better market for the ones able to stay in during bad times." These are the words quite recently spoken to tho writer by one of these men. To these, the "back-yarder," as the small poultry-keeper is called, is one to be crushed.

Where one goes out 111 bad times a dozen will spring up in better times, with a consequent increase in production until we again have a crisis. Better far to undertake the organisation of the small producer, and by educating him, control his output to the ultimate benefit of himself and others. It is to be hoped that when the coming flush season is at hand all will sink thair differences and do all possible to help the industry through its darkest hour.

Danger of Cheap Stock

To all who know the difficulty in balancing accounts at the present juncture, it must be abundantly clear that to do so only the best of stock, well attended, should be kept. It is amazing the number of people who still allow themselves to be persuaded that cheap stock is the least expensive. Quite the contrary is the case, with rare exceptions. The writer receives many complaints during a year such as, "I bought some White Leghorn eggs from and the resultant pullets have black feathers in them," or " I purchased 100 eggs from so-and-so and on testing found 45 unfertile." Inquiries generally disclose the fact that the goods complained of were bought at very cut rates from unheard of ' sources. Why buyers should deal with such people passes one's comprehension, when for reasonable prices eggs and stock can be bought from recognised breeders, with reputations to guard, and who can produce indisputable evidence of public test performances. The writer has beforp him the interesting little Year Book of .the Auckland Poultry-keepers' Association. It gives the flnal result of the 1931-32 test, and while space does not allow of a detailed review of the figures, the following are of general interest, and will be a guide to the novice as to what flocks should produce. Totals of 361 hens and 63 ducks were penned,, a total of 424 birds. The hens averaged 211 eggs a bird and the ducks 236. Taking the two most popular breeds, White Leghorns and Black Orpingtons, we find that out of 49 teams of whites, four birds to a team, 40 teams laid over 800 eggs in 50 weeks. Of 30 teams of blacks, 17 laid 800 and over in the same period. Some 60 hens and ducks laid individual totals ranging from 260 eggs to 346, all of standard weight and over. These few figures will serve to show the stock available to intending and at reasonable prices. The writer strongly advises intending purchasers to carefully peruse the advertisements of breeders on this page.

Value of Testing

Nothing will cat up money quicker than poor producers. v Observe care when buying eggs or stock, for a whole season and much money can be lost through the buying of so-called cheap eggs of stock. With care in selection, on the other hand, success will attend one from the outset.

An inspection of the birds in the contest pens at Mt. Albert, together with a study' of the records being put up by them, will be a splendid guide to intending poultrymen. These birds for the most part have been carefully selected by competent officials of ■ the association at the request of owners. This selection ig made with the idea of combining beauty with profitable production. Hence no better oxample of the utility bird can be found.

That testing is the best means of raising average production is recognised by all students and this is amply borne out by figures available to all interested. Ten years ago the average per bird was 191, while to-day it stands at 215. High individual totals were rare, while to-day birds laying from 260 upward are common. From tested stock should come our breeders, due attention always being paid to type. The producer who will come through the* present crisis is the one who, by systematic testing and selection, has eliminated the poor producer. High average production coupled with export may yet save the day. The real" relief for which we all look should come, however, from an abolition of the strang- . ling wheat regulations. ,