POULTRYMEN CONFER

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9630, 10 April 1917, Page 2

POULTRYMEN CONFER

CONFERENCE CONCLUDED VARIOUS IMPORTANT REMITS DISCUSSED. Thp annual conference of the New Zealand Poultry Association was concluded in Wellington yesterday. Mr H. M. Haddington presided. POULTRY TAX PROPOSED. An interesting remit put forward by Mr A S. Holmes for the Auckland Cooperative Egg Producers’ Association read as follows :—“That this conference ask the Government to pass an Act enforcing poultrymen to nay a tax, on somewhat similar lines to the orchardlst tax. and that such money so collected by the Government be utilised for the improvement of the poultry industry. Mr Holmes said that this would prerent casual poultry dealers from exploiting permanent poultrymen. he •,Minted to the good results accruing from the orchardist tax. ~ ~ , ~ Mr J. B. Merrett considered that the remit was contrary to the interests ot the industry. They wanted, to encourage producers, but they could not hope to build up the industry if this remit were carried.

Further discussion of the remit was adjourned till next conference. BROKEN EGGS. Mr S. 11. Scott spoke strongly in support of the following remit:—’ lhat the Government’s attention, be drawn to the excessive number of valuable pedigree eggs that are broken in transit each breeding season, either by the Postal or Railway Department’s neglect in careful handling; the breakages caus.ng serious loss to both the buyer and the seller, and also to the industry." , , , , The mover declared that he had lost an enormous number of eggs through the carelessness of the servants handling them. The remit was carried. MORTALITY OF CHICKS. Mr Pratt brought forward the following remit:—“That the Government make an investigation into the cause of the mortality of chicks.’’ After a short discussion the remit was withdrawn. • One speaker who opposed the remit stated that there were more chicks dying in New Zealand through want of common sense than through disease. STAMPING EGGS. Mr E. W. Griffiths moved the following remit:—“That in the interest or both tho public and the producer, the Government pass an Act requiring all other eggs than fresh to be stamped ’preserved,’ 'cool stored,’ . etc., as the case may be." Mr Griffiths said that if the motion were put into effect it would remedy the present unsatisfactory position both for producer and the general public. Cool storage eggs were at present being retailed to the pu’bjio by grocers as fresh eggs “If we ask the American exporters to stamp their eggs we should stamp our own eggs." After further discussion the following amendment was carried : “That in . iho interests of both the public and . producers the Government pass regulations requiring all cool stored and preserved eggs retailed to the public being stamped as the case may be.” IMPORTED, POLLARD.

Tho following- remit from the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club was put forward by Mr A. G. Mumby:—“That Hie New Zealand Poultry Association be asked to inquire as to the. advisability of importing wheat and pollard from Australia for the assistance of the poultry industry." An amendment moved by Mr E. Gal-' lichan was carried after a short discussion;—"That the incoming executive bo instructed to approach tho Agricultural Department to see what is possible as to a standard of purity for pollard.” EGG CIRCLE AGENTS. The chairman moved the following remit for the Wairarapa Egg Circle; — “That the New Zealand Poultry Association be requested to appoint egg circle agents in centres or districts where necessary, such, agents to be recognigejl as the official agents of affiliated circles, through whom all circle eggs must be marketed. Should any affiliated circle fail to comply with this arrangement, their affiliation to tho N.Z.P.A. to be cancelled." A lengthy discussion followed, tho majority of members being of the opinion that the remit should be withdrawn as it was too drastic. The chairman refused to do this- and eventually Die remit was put to the meeting and lost. RAILAGE OF EGGS. A remit from the Auckland Association was moved by Mr E. W. Griffiths: “That tho attention of the Government be again drawn to the high railage charges on eggs as compared with tho railage charges on fruit, and that the former charges be reduced to the latter." Mr Griffiths said that it was .in the interests of the. general,. public that eggs should be railed as quickly as possible from one district to another. On account of the prohibitive coat of railage on mail trains this was hardly possible at present. The cost of carnage on mail trains was four times greater than on other trains. On the suggestion of another member the remit was referred to the executive to deal with. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Tho election of officers resulted as follows;—President. Mr B. Gallichan; vicopresidonta, Messrs 11. W. Childs, A. S. Holmes; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. B. Merrett; assistant secretary, Mr J. A. Simson: executive board, Messrs. H. M. Boddington, A. G. Mumby, G. Finn, W. Christie, and A. Love; auditor, Mr C. Renn; adviser. Mr F. C. Brown. MISCELLANEOUS.

The following remit was lost:—"That, with a view to protecting the egg suppliers, and securing to them the full price their eggs realise, this conference request the Government to audit the accounts of the agents in New Zealand who sell eggs on commission.” The following remit was carried:— "That this conference support an application from this association to the Government for a resident poultry instructor in the Auckland province.” It was decided to hold the next conference in Wellington. A REVIEW.

At the evening session of the conference, Mr F. C. Brown, _ chief poultryexpert, gave an instructive and practical review of the poultry industry. He expressed the opinion that poultrymen could congratulate themselves on the present position of the industry. The use' of purebred birds was rapidly spreading throughout the country. Poultrymen were rapidly placing the business end of the industry on a greatly improved basis. The value of co-operative action was gradually making itself felt. The speaker remarked that the cost of foodstuffs had risen to an unprecedented degree, and at many seasons of the year the selling price was inadequate to compensate the producer. The result was that many had been forced out of the business, being unable to compete in the unequal struggle; The higfi cost of foods, however, had proved a blessing in disguise. Other foods had been substituted, which proved more economic than foods generally used. Mr Brown referred to the feeding tests carried out b.y the Department of Agriculture in proving that both wheat and pollard oottld he largo.

It-' dispensed with. The eraeriinents were not completed yet, hut the results would be available at an early dato- - had been a growing demand for the services of the poultry experts, but they had been unable to "imply the numerous requests. . As to tne ■.future prospects of the iiidustry, the speaker affirmed that this would depend largely on the manner in. which producers safeguarded the industry ■ by controlling the marketing of eggs and poultry. The best means of doing this washy the formation of egg clrcl ® s . a -? d bv eliminating the unnecessary cost between producer and consumer and supplying nothing but a first-class S uara “ - teed article. The industry would then bo placed on a more satisfactory lootinff. Mr Brown answered numerous questions at the close of his address, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Votes of thanks to the retiring preBident, the secretary, the , executive board, and the press brought the conference to a close. ___