EXPORT OF EGGS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21555, 28 July 1933, Page 14

EXPORT OF EGGS

SPECIAL EFFORT PLANNED INADEQUATE METHODS DIFFICULTIES TO BE MET lIV A.B.C. A special effort is to be made this season to double the Dominion's egg exports. This is most gratifying to those in the Auckland district who in the past supported export, and thus, while bearing the small loss benefited all. Press reports lately would lead readers to believe that no organised body to carry out export had existed in Auckland until this year. It is admitted thatexport should bo much more successful this season with all producers and egg merchants supporting it. Nevertheless, Auckland export of the prist two seasons, while lacking in tho desired quantity, has been well organised and quite successful from the point of view of those supporting it. The opportunity for all to help wa* always proffered, but refused by all but one body, which, having put its hand to the plough, courageously carried on. It is all the more pleasing to supporters of the movement to find that those producers and merchants who last year were against export have changed their views this year. Perhaps the Poultry Amendment Bill, although thrown out of the Legislative Council, has set some thinking. Perhaps the disastrous local prices of last season are responsible. No matter what the cause, the movement to make our export of eggs of benefit to all producers is to receive solid support, and for this let lis sink our differences and bo thankful. When we read of the wonderful way in which tho Commonwealth has increased its exports in a few years, wo cannot help but think that some more up-to-date and expeditious method of grading and tcstinc than ours is employed. Wo know many difficulties confront the officials who are responsible for tho work here. Some of these are easily eliminated on tho farms. Dirty, stained, misshapen, stale eggs should not be submitted to the grading store. Small eggs also should be kept away. If not attended to 011 the farm, all these things can bo eliminated in the merchants' stoics where grading machines operate. Why then tho very small percentage .of eggs actually passed as lit for export from the large numbers submitted to tho Government grader for his final decision? Better Methods Urged The meticulous examination of each egg for blood spots, cracks in shells, etc., the carrying of a few eggs to the scale and the weighing of them, all strike the observer as hopelessly obsolete and inadequate. Tho writer contends the department has failed miserably in this branch of its activities. No effort seems to have been made to inquire into methods employed in other countries. If inquiries have been made, then tho result has been kept a very close secret.

In view of tho difficulties in the past of getting eggs graded owing to these totally inadequate methods one is led to wonder just how the committee today hopes to double export. It should and surely will insist on something more speedy and adequate than hitherto, otherwise it will find itself, as those of lato years found, with shipping space hooked and only half the required eggs packed. We know flaws not visible to the eye in the ordinary way are inndo plain by tho testing light. We admit every egc should pass over the light, but surely the very searching examination to which Auckland eggs are submitted is not necessary, particularly where theso eggs have already passed over a testing and grading machine. One does not blame the grading officials, who do their work to the best of their ability, but one does blame a department which does not keep somewhere near abreast of the times. Oare on the Farm Brown eggs sell to better advantage on English markets than do white, but the smallncss of many of our brown eggs makes the packing of theso in large quantities difficult. Tho preponderance of flocks are White Leghorn, and no great difficulty exists with these as regards size. White eggs are naturally more difficult to keep in clean condition and herein much assistance can be given the graders by the producer. Clean, dry litter on the floors to enable the birds to enter tho nests with feet as clean as possible will greatly help. All nest straw must be kept fresh and clean. Kven with conditions ideal in these respects a percentage of eggs will come soiled from the nest-boxes and should bo thoroughly cleaned by wiping with a clean damp cloth. Eggs for export should come from pens where no male is included. Infertile eggs keep better than fertile. Tho grit tins must be kept well supplied with good shell grit to avoid thin-shcllcd eggs. All eggs should be sont to tho grade store at least twice weekly, and where flocks are largo, moro often if possible. While awaiting transport to grading <>r merchants' stores tho eggs should be kept iu as cool and dry a place as can bo provided. Attention to all these details will go a long way toward expediting tho grading and packing. It is (o the advantage of all producers to do everything which lies in their power to help in those mutters which they alone cun control. Australia's Advantage it is important that superhuman efforts should bo made this season to j export every ogg possible. There is little doubt that England will adopt the quota system. Unless we increase on our past exports wo shall find we are limited to a very small portion of the great total imported annually by the United Kingdom. Great advances in the breeding and looping of poultry have taken place in recent years at Homo and protection will assuredly bo given, in common with other primary industries. Australia with her cheap wheat is in au enviable position as compared with New Zealand, for many millions of dozens of eggs leave tho Commonwealth each season. Handicapped as we arc with wheat duties, our industry has been shockingly retarded. Given the same opportunity for cheap feeding, coupled with our genial climate, we would bo second to none as an egg-pro-ducing country, in spite of our distance from overseas markets. Nevertheless, it behoves us all to make our big effort this season not so much for tho benefit which may uccruo at once, but with a thought for the future. To imagine export will prove detrimental to tho consuming public hore is futile. Tho local market cannot consume the quantity availablo at flush periods, and it was conclusively proved last year that retail prices below cost of production did not increase consumption.