THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25240, 1 June 1943, Page 3

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY

Sir —The letter of the vice-president of the Otago Poultry Producers’ Association, Mr W. Denford, calls for a reply. His reference to my being “ privileged in having Wellington as a market is petty, and about as silly as his allusion to secret meetings and collusion in sabotaging organisation. He is wrong in his statement about the present difference in prices of sixpence per dozen between Dunedin and Wellington. The difference (standards) is fourpence. Throughout the whole year the average difference is twopence. Fifty North Otago producers were shipping to Wellington before the war and long before the Internal Marketing Department became interested in eggs. These shipments continue because they fit the national need. From North Otago these shipments cost us railage to wharf, wharf dues at both ends, shipping freights, cartages, merchant’s commissions, and return of empty crates. Not much is left of the margin difference in price. Not one of the above charges is paid on Taieri eggs in Dunedin. So much for the “ privilege. Regarding the meeting in Dunedin, it is entirely false to say that I took a letter from my pocket, and without opening it, said “ I have much pleasure in nominating Mr The letter had been addressed to me as chairman. It was read and laid on top of my pile of papers where anyone could have seen it. It contained a nomination over the signature of a registered producer,, and was therefore in order. Nominations that are subject to election do not require a seconder. Had more than the required number been proposed a ballot would have ensued. The really interesting part of Mr Denford’s epistle, however, is where he takes exception to a particular rule. Because of it his organisation will have nothing to do with the association. This rule he denounces as undemocratc and one that will take away the right of his members to elect delegates to the annual conference in Wellington;—an iniquitious rule that will vest that right in the new council. These rules, it should be explained, were drawn up some time ago by a provisional commute'' of representative producers from-Southland, Otago, and North Otago. This committee had, at considerable expense, been brought together to formulate rules suitable for an Otago-Soutljland association. Mr Goodlet. as president of the Otago organisation, and Mr Denford as his vice-president were prqsent as members of this committee representing Otago. Mr Denford has in his possession a copy of the official minutes of this meeting. If he wil look up minute number 9, under heading “ Meetings of Council,” he will read: “ The council of the association shall meet three times each year; February, to elect delegates to conference . . . Moved, Mr A. C. Goodlet, seconded Mr W. Denford.” And to think I once publicly congratulated Mr Denford on his excellent memorv!—l am, etc., Tom Gill, May 29. N.Z. Poultry Board.