EGG MARKETING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23002, 1 April 1938, Page 10

EGG MARKETING

r KEEPING UP PRICES

GOVERNMENT DECISION

PURCHASING SURPLUS

FUTURE OF INDUSTRY

[by telegraph—own correspondent] WELLINGTON, Thursday

' An assurance to tho poultry industry fthat tho Government by purchasing surplus eggs either for pulping or for export would seo that thero was no disastrous fall in prices was given by the Minister of Marketing, the Hon. W. Nash, when addressing the New Zealand' Poultry Producers' Federation at its annual conference to-day. Mr. Nash added that the Government could not undertake the organisation of the industry until there was more agreement among tho ranks of its members. The Minister said he realised the importance of the poultry industry, with which the Stato was likely to be more linked up in the future than it had been in the past. As Minister of Marketing he had several times mfct tho executive of the federation, but although he agreed with tho executive's views it was a question whether it was at present possible to do what it wanted. Reasonable Price "A't the last meeting I was satisfied it was not possible for ns as a Government to organise the industry as it ought to be organised until wo had got better agreement within the industry, V said Mr. Nash. "However, we did owe it to the industry to do something to keep it stable in the meantime, and Mr. Picot and I agreed to take to ensure that a reasonable price level was maintained. That was a guarantee that tho purchase of eggs for pulping should be so organised that there would not bo a demoralising fall in prices as thero had been in the past." Mr. Nash added that the Marketing

Department had also made an arrangement with tho maize growers which ensured that poultry producers would not have to pay an ultra-high prico for feed. At »thc samo time the arrangement did not allow the uncontrolled

import of maize to destroy the industry. 'He had been astonished to

learn that the price of fowl wheat was

sometimes higher than that of the best milling wheat, and had arranged that the price should be a little moro favourable'this year. The subject would be discussed again with tho Minister of industries and Commerce, tho Hon. D. G. Sullivan, and he would try to work out a procedure 'to ensure that the 'producers would not have to pay an unreasonable price. 1. Present Difficulties V: "When the time is opportune and we feel competent and well informed 1 enough, we will try to organise the poultry industry so that the return received by the producer for his product "is commensurate • with the degree in 1 which that product is necessary to the Dominion," said Mr, Nash.' "Certainly it wonld be si tragic mistake for the ' Government to try at present to organise the industry as it ought to be Organised. To attempt it and fail might 7 take you back another decade." Marketing problems of the industry were discussed later by the conference. <A remit urging that the federation should' oppose Government control or •".'egg marketing and egg prices was rejected. -r , Expert Control ' The conference agreed that the commission on all eggs and poultry sold by agents bo fixed by the Government, "and that the Government be asked to proceed' at once with a scheme for the : "marketing of eggs by setting up central - grading floors under Government con!k It was also decided that the Govern---ment be asked to control surplus eggs ■ during the flush season by taking over the pulping and export of eggs. Other • recommendations were that a substantially greater quantity of eggs be exported than last year, and that the average ■ export pulp price be not less than the wholesale price on tho local The conference also decided tha,t urgent steps be taken to introduce uniform egg grading in the main centres, and that retail sales be made according to such grades.