NEW ZEALAND POULTRY ASSOCIATION

Otago Witness, Issue 3444, 16 March 1920, Page 22

NEW ZEALAND POULTRY ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL. CONFERENCE. The tenth annual conference of the New Zealand Poultry Association was commenced at 9.50 on the fith, inst. in the Y.M.C.A. rooms. Delegates were numerous, and the whole morning was occupied in discussing points in the report of the, {secretary, Mr J. B. Merrett. Mr A. S. Holmes occupied the chair, and was aided in his work by Mr Merrett, who is thoroughly conversant; v/ith the proceedings of the association. Much of the ground traversed in the morning has been already covered . • The Chairman welcomed Mr. Christie, pre- ■ sident of the Farmers' Union, who in the course of a few remarks emphasised the necessity for increasing the experts' salaries, and the loss sustained through this not being • done. He said further that poultry was a side line of farming, and could be-well carried on by girls and women about a farm The Mayor (Mr W. Begg) said he had attended with some diffidence, as he knew nothing about poultry-raising or the production of'eggs. He cordially welcomed dele-gates-to the city, and hoped their Visit would be pleasant and profitable. Mr Statham, M.P., joined with his Worship in extending a welcome to the visitors. The Secretary's annual report was on extended lines. It stated as follows: . "Excellent progress has been made by the New Zealand Poultry Association during the past year. The Government has responded to several of the requests made at last conference, the membership has increased considerably—the finances are m a buoyant state—three societies have affiliated and on every hand poultry producers and fanciers regard the association as their gov erning body in the protection of the poultry industry and its advancement by the Government. A great amount of work remains to bo done, and there is a greater necessity for whole-hearted co-operation and support. Owing to tho food shortage and consequent high prices, great difficulty has been experienced in socurimr supplies, though this has been offset by the increased prices obtained for eggs.. Ten years ago, when the association was formed, eggs averaged throughout the year l s 3d per dozen, while during the past year the price has been .''ncreased to 2s per dozen. Production has not increased during the past two years—in fact there is a noticeable decrease. . Agents everywhere have been unable to supply the demand. During the yeara of war, prices for eggs did not advance considerably, while food prices were high. A large number of producers lessened their flocks, This reduction was not noticed while thousands of our young men were absent on active service, the shipping passenger traffic was suspended, and the tourists visiting the do- , minion were small in "number. Now trade has'been resumed there a heavy demand for eggs* and we are dependent on outside sources for our supply. The Government has not prohibited the imports, which are on the increase, irom foreign countries, and the fear of the imported article led many to give up poultry-keeping and prevented expansion of plants. It is to be hoped that steps will bo taken to prohibit the cheap egg from foreign countries and restrict our importations to egjs produced within tho Empire. It is unpardonable that in such a favoured country wo do not produce sufficient oggs for our requirements, instead of having amplo for our need and an export trade to countries offering to take our eggs. Until the Government secures the producer against the encroachment of foreign eggs, and guarantees ample poultry food, the production will be lessened and the public will feavo to pay dearly for eggs. /The farmers, •who have always been great suppliers of "eggs, have lessened their flocks. Meat has been a tempting price, while labour on the farm and in tho household has been difficult to obtain.. The poultry yard has been neglected, and production is lessened. The specialist in poultry-raising is doing well. We are bound to see the number increase. Improved methods of housinjr and feeding, selection and breeding of stock, and the higher price for eggs make poultry-keeping a profitable undertaking; but not until

' we encourage the farmer to give his attention to poultry will be seen any pronounced increase in the production of eggs. The same shortage is noticeable in table poultry. During last winter there 'was a very great shortage, and remarkable prices were obtained. The shortage is apparent for the coming winter, and high prices are bound to rule. The provision of table poultry for the markets is a haphazard procedure, and practically no one takes it up as a specialty. The farmer who has the facilities for doing the 1 work treats it as indifferently as the production of eggs. The finances of the association have not been as liberally supported by affiliated societies as we desire. The Auckland Cooperative Egg Society, Ltd., set a good example and raised £4O. The Canterbury Egg Circle undertook a membership campaign and secured 60 new members for the association, ind added over £2O to the funds. The New Zealand Utility Poultry Club ond Palmerston North Egg Circle each donated £5, and the Nelson Egg Circle £2 2s, but beyond this little effort has been made to raise funds. Until more funds are available the association not expand in it 8 work, and its influence will be hampered. A review of the remits this year reveals tbe tendency to lean too much on the Government instead of making provision for ourselves. This leaning habit is too apparent, and meets with little success. It is hard to pret the Government to move 1 out of its defined policy, and producers must recognise that progress and development can result from their own initiative and co-operation. The remits passed at bast, conference have been placed before the Government, and met with varying results 1 . The executive on one occasion waited on the Minister of Agriculture and presented the remits. The report then dealt seriatim with some 20 matters, of which the chief wero set out as follow:—"lncrease of salaries to the Government poultry experts: This matter has been dealt with by the Government and increases have been made. Compared with the cost of living and the valued services' of the two senior experts, higher salaries should be paid. Concessions in fares for tbe delegates attending the New Zealand Poultry Associations' Conference : During the war privileges of this nature were cancelled. The Railway Department has not renewed the concessions which could be taken advantage of <bv the delegates attending the conference. Prohibition of-imported eggs except in shell: Nothing has been done in this matter. _ The. Board of Trade recomme.ided a continuation of present laws, and imported eggs may still come into New Zealand from foreign countries. There has been no increase in duty on pulp as asked by the conference. Prevention of increased prices in pollard and bran and adulteration of pollard: Prices were fixed by tbe Board of Trade and met with general approval. has been done to prevent millers from mixing the pollard with gt-ound-un bran. Importation of wheat from Australia for the poultry industry : The Australian wheat harvest has proved so disastrous that wheat purchased there would be more costly than New Zealand grown wheat. Nothing has been done in the matter. Provision of cool storage for eggs: The Government has expressed its willingness to give assistance in this, matter similar to that extended to thj fruit industry. Grants to Egg-Laying Competitions: The executive is pleased to report that the following grants havo been n.ade for egg-laying competitions and paid to the respective societies: Auckland Poultrp Keepers' Association', £150; Nbw Zealand Utility Poultry Club. £52 per annum for three yeai-s: Southland Utility Poultry Club. £75. Although the executive visited Wfcllinsrton on two occasions and interviewed the Minister of Agriculture, no further advance, could be secured for Auckland. Every facility has been afforded returned soldiers to learn poultry farming by attending the Government demonstration farms. The suggestion that poultry settlements be established has. not been approved.. Uniform rules for egg laying competitions : So far little progress lias been'made. Difficulty arises from inability to get the variotia committees.of egg laying tests .to meet and discuss the subject. The executive has been unable to deal with the matter of a breeders' register. On the occasions

it meets in Wellington only a few hours are available for . business and the more u'gent questions are attended to. The executive must meet more frequently or extend their sessions if the business of the association is to be done. This moans expense and provision must be mad© for the charges of the executive to be met." The report goes on at considerable length to deal with, a world's congress, the following being salient and interesting passages: —"Tho Dutch Government is keenly interested and has pledged itself to spend several thousands of pounds to entertain the delegates and conduct an egg laying competition to close on the holding of the congress at the Hague in September, 1921. As an association we have been invited to send a delegate, and the Government has also been asked to send its representative. Australia is responding to the invitation, and almost every country in the world will be represented. New Zealand should certainly send its delegate. The conference must fully consider the question of sending delegates. The Chief Poultry Expert of-the New Zealand Department of Agriculture should certainly be sent. It would be a fitting tribute to his great work in New Zealand. It would prove educative and be a good investment for the dominion. The New Zealand Poultry Association should be represented so as to participate in the great commercial questions to be discussed. The fruit, meat, dairying, and other industries are encouraged in this way, and it is for us to urge forward the recessity for New Zealand to be adequately represented." Dealing with the finance, the report stated: —"The statement of receipts and expenditure shows an increase in affiliations and member fees. We certainly have a balance in hand, but it is small. In such an organisation representing so many producers and an industry of £2.000,000 annual value the income should be much larger. Support is given only bv the few while the voluntary services of the executive should no longer be expected. With the high prices ruling for eggs and the general prosperity of poultrymen, this association should have five times its present annual income. We owe much to the Department of Agriculture. It gives all the assistance in its jtower. It must necessarily view our industry with restricted vision until it can establish an export trade and better meet the demands of the country. The Government poultry experts have done good service." <|fc In regard to an increase in salary to Government poultry experts, the following motion was agreed to: —"That in the matter of salary the Government be requested to place poultry instructors on the same basis as dairy instructors.' I—As 1 —As to railway concessions it was resolved : "That the executive draw up a resolution requesting a concession for delegates travelling to asi agricultural conference, and that the support of the Agricultural Council be solicited." .The clause as to a breeder's register caused some discussion, in the course of which it was suggested that a breeders' association should bo formed' similar to that, in Australia. It was moved that Messrs Jeffries, Hawke. Scott, Gee, and Drane draw up proposals to be considered after the remits had been dealt with. The rest of the report was "passed." On the balance sheet coming before the conference delegates referred to the valuable services of Mr Merrett, and suggestions as to recognising that gentleman's work in a substantial form were still under discussion when the conference adjourned for luncheon. A report, which had been compiled by the commitfee was read before a large assemblage of delegates and local members in the Y.M.C.A. at the evening session. Several messages apologising for absence nnd wishing the conference success in'its deliberations wore read, The report, which is a very comprehensive one, was read by Mr J. B. Merrett, who_ said that, in compliance with the resolution passed at the last conference, ths committee had met and endeavoured to frame a policy and set before his hearers an ideal towards •which they might all strive ._ with benefit not only to themselves individually but also to ihe industry as a whole throughout the dominion. The members of th>9 committee had devoted considerable thought

to tho subject, and submitted their findings in the hope that they might provoke discussion and that the main principles of the policy outlined might meet with unanimous acceptance even if there were differences of opinion on some of the details. The commercial world was fraught with great possibilities,, and in no industry was there a wider scope for development than in their own. The needs of the poultry industry might be roughly divided under two headings: (11 Tho organisation required to enabel them' to control and improve the marketing of produce; and (2) the organisation required to reduce the cost of production. As regards tho first they had made some progress. During the last 10 years they had made advancement in marketing their produce, and had made good use of the facilities afforded by the Egg Circle movement; concentration of supplies, improved quality of teggs, stamping and grading, economy in handling charges had all tended to secure better prices at a minimum cost. On the other hand they still lacked the facilities for handling lines in time of excess, and their conserving that excess so as to enable them to make provision for and extend supplies to clients in the season of the year in which there is a' shortage. As regards the second heading—viz., "The organisation required to reduce the cost of production." that field of operatins was almost untouched. It was true that a few local efforts at combined buying, principally of foodstuffs, had been set on foot, but nothing had been done on a dominion scale. At present the poultry-keeper, as regards everything he used, from foodstuffs and incubators down to tin tacks, was at the mercy of outsiders,, whose first aim in any business transactions was to make a comfortable profit for themselves. Let them contrast the present 'position with what might be under a system in which the poultry-keepers throughout the dominion were banded together in one strong organisation. The speaker asked them to think of what it would mean in even in a few of the leading lines of poultry-keepers' requirements, and if such an organisation could contract for the grain and' other foodstuffs required for the whole dominion. The committee thought that any advance that had been made so far had been entirely due to united effort, and it submitted that the only method of putting the industry on a sound footing was the intelligent extension of the principle of cooperation not only to the selling ,but also to the buying side of the business, The co-operative system secured the highest price for products at the lowest rate of marketing. It secured the goods at the cheapest price, and cut the_ merchant out from taking advantages which should belong to the user, and given sufficient capital and prudent management, placed the producer in the way to better profits and a secure industry. What was wanted was loyal and united co-operative effort. "Owing- to the fact that the selling side of such a business must necessarily to a certain extent be governed by local conditions, the committee advocated the establishment of separate co-operative organisations in, at any rate, the four main centres, which should, as regarded capital nad local management, be independent of one another, but which in all matters of dominion interest should work together. The combined operations of those organisations would be largely in the purchasing side of the business, and would not require any very elaborate working machinery, but to do that would necessitate the raising of a large amount of capital. This capital need not necessarily be all raised by the producers. The requisite additional capital could be subscribed by the outside public, possibly on conditions that, if desirable, the shares could be purchased by the producers at a later date. Such an effort would lead to the complete concentration of the egg and poultry supply. The market prices could be regulated proportionally to the cost of foods and the demand. Cool storage could be adopted- to ease the egg market, and thus prevent the humiliating juggling with prices of the past few weeks. In summer the price could be With the cool storage and pulping of eggs could be cleared, and held till a set price was obtained. Bakers in weak financial positions could be supplied with pulp for their winter requirements, and so fid the imported pulp of many of its supporters. With the cool storage and ulping of eggs prices could be kept equitable. In the poultry section other avenues for better returns were afforded. Large contracts were now secured by private firms, and in summer, when the supply was good, poultry was purchased at a low rate, and resold when the season was off and supplies scarce. The requirements of the industry, and the volume of business it provided, would, provided they kept it loyally with our own organisations, soon convince the outside public that they could safely put their money into the venture. The committee further recommended that the Department of Agriculture be urged to adopt a more progressive policy in relation to. the industry. At. its present rate of support, the industry will not grow. The policy of Government experts waiting to be asked before going on to a farm to give advice or to a district to give a lecture was out of date. The'' farms were the homes of our poultry, and farmers needed education and help. Every district should be worked systematically, ancT visits and lectures given till tho country was worked and interest aroused. The association cotdd _ well assist the Government by appointing honorary lecturers to give addresses in certain localities till the various districts were covered. It is lamentable to think that with their climate, foods, and facilities for egg production they were dependent upon Australia, China, and Japan for eggs. New Zealand was sadly behind in its prosecution of the poultry industry from a scientific aspect. The association could well afford to give a 10 guinea prize for a paper to be open to the young poultrymen of the dominion. The successful applicant to be given assistance in the form of a scholarship to enable him to secure a scientific training and so fit himself for the positions that are to be open in this country for poultry within the next few years. The wide practical knowledge of their present instructors must be supplemented and assisted by scientific knowledge and research, and future appointments of instructors must be based both on practical and scientific knowledge. An applicant for such a position must have passed a suitable examination in the science of physics, chemistry, biology, etc., and their uses in relation to the industry. An instructor so equipped would be capable of leading the poultry men in the scientific- as well as the practical side of their business. There was one point on which the committee had not touched while sketching out a policy for the poultry-men, but it was one of great practical importance to the conference. The association had now assumed a very important position in the industry.

Its value was recognised by all, but its (support was left to the few. It was itme tha large number of poultry-men, especially those in the commercial section, supported the associaton more liberally. A vast amount had been done by voluntary service, but they could not expect that to continue*. The secretaryship alone was worth at least £SO a Tear, while the executive should be paid for days they were absent from business on the association's work. At present, with the existing- finance, even taking it at the improved figures shown by that year's bali.ice sheet, there were no funds to enable the expenses and loss of time of the executive to be recouped, and about one meeting a year between conferences was all that could be managed. Quarterly meetings at least should be held. It was true that some of the organisations composing the association had come forward liberally, but, as' he had said already, it should not be left to voluntary effort by the few. The association should have an assured income, contributed on an equitable basis by all its supporters. The advantages gained bv affiliated societies and act've and associate members was out of all proportion to the meagre subscriptions that were paid. A great deal of work remained to be done, and thev could scarcely progress unless a better system of finance was adopted. It wa s not necessary to take up much time in elaboi-ating. that suggestion. Every delegate would agree that the man who had fought our battles* in the late war was deserving of assistance, especially when he was starting a new venture. The Government had failed to do half what it should have done to establish poultry farms for the returned soldier, and it was, therefore, all the more necessary that they should help in that matter. Committees set up in the various centres could do invaluable work in giving practical advice. Poultry farming could not be mastered in a few months; indeed, it was only by years of experience, that the knowledge necessary to success was acquired. The honorary committees must, of course, comprise men of ability, men who had made a success of poultry farming, and those men would be able to give valuable,advice on mating, incubating, feeding,- culling, etc. The committees would not clash with the Government poultry experts, and would not render assistance until asked to do so by the owner of the plant. If the returned man availed himself of tho practical help and advice of the committees' which it was suggested should be set up, and if those committees carried out their work faithfully, there would be a very small chance, indeed, of failure coming his- way. It was further proposed that • at each annual conference two members of Parliament be elected one for tho North and one for the South, to watch, and safeguard ths interest of poultry-keepora from a legislative standpoint, and would prove of great value to all poultry-keepers to have live men acting on their behalf in session and out. They could be put on the executive, and meet in conference with'representative poultrymen, and be able to suggest and advise on all matters for the wel,faro of the industry. The principle of their societies in the association working together on the fixation of prices of eggs should bo enforced. They had no fault to find with the inauguration of more than one society in their cities. Perhaps two or three would be to advantage, as it would broaden their lines of business, and work up a greater clientele, but there should be an affinity among the salesmen and the producer as to the fixation of prices. In some instances, as the state of the market has recently shown, eggs had been inflated, and a big drop in prices occurred, causing a heavy loss to producers and an interruption in the regular consumption of eggs This could be easily avoided, and it is for tins conference to recommend■ provisions of that nature.--The association had affiliated to it three organisations, one of whose principal objects was, and had been for many years, the government and regulation of shows and of all matters auxiliary thereto—namely, the North Island Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Association, the New Zealand Championships' Association, and the South Island P., P., and C. Association. So far no effort had been made by the association to utilise properly tho special knowledge possessed 'by these organisations .in regard to many matters which affected the' interests of poultrymen. Mr E. Gallichan (Wellington) said that he hoped that their deliberations would bear fruit in the near future. The association had been in existence for 10 years, and during the war period they had maintained a' status quo under many difficulties. He strongly advocated the building of premises for cool storage, such as had been built recently in Wellington. They could ask the Government for assistance in erecting the building, in return for which the association could help the country by the resulting increased production. In 1912 the value of their industry was a million and a-half pounds; to-day it was worth nearly two millions; He considered that money which had been spent on Government poultry farms had been largely wasted, owing to the backward policy of the Department of Agriculture. Why should eggs' and poultry be a luxury, as they were at the present time? Mr H. M. Boddington advocated the forming of a headquarters in each district to do the buying of _ necessaries. As for tho co-operative building which had been proposed, he urged that all shares should be held by the producers. He was not in favour of the promiscuous dumping- of soldiers in the poultry business, which was a business requiring experience if it was to be successful. Mr G. E. Jeffreys., on behalf of the South Island Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Association, promised the association that body's whole-hearted support in any schemes which. were advanced for the placing of their valuable industry on a better commercial footing. Mr S. H. Scott (Auckland) asked what was the real value of their industry to the country. He was a supporter of Government egg-laying competitions being held in each of the four centres. Mr A. G. Mumby (New Zealand Poultry Industries) deprecated the launching of an ambitious building scheme at the present time, as he considered the proposal premature. They could continue to do good work by means of their egg circles, etc., and it was better to continue on steady lines of progress than to inaugurate schemes which they might not be able to carry out. Mr Merrett, replying, said that co-opera-tion was the ideal commercial system of the present day, but it required good management. Bad management was the cause of all previous failures of the system. The speaker proceeded to enlarge on the value of the co-operative societies at present in existence, and he made a strong appeal for

funds to put their society on a strong financial footing. In the face of their balance sheet, which, as the result of „a special effort, showed a credit balance of £57, it was absurd to suggest that the money could be raised entirely amongst themselves. Men of business standing would be an advantage on their .directorate. Mr Hawke regretted that the report had not provoked more discussion. There was much in it that he had hoped to hear discussed by the meeting. The following resolution was adopted: "That the North Island, New Zealand Championship, and South Island Associations be asked to meet and formulate a 6cheme embodying suggestions as to how the knowledge they possess of show government and regulation and kindred subjects can be best utilised by this association, and to frame a report for the next conference." Further discussion of the report was then postponed VISIT TO PORTOBELLO. In the after-noon the delegates visited Mr Shaddock's poultry farm at Portobello, where they were entertained at afternoon tea. The aarty was accompanied by some of. the Government poultry experts,, who made several valuable suggestions concerning all departments of the industry in answer to questions put by the visitors. The day was fine, and a very profitable time was spent. N SECOND DAY'S SITTING. The conference resumed at 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday, when the discussion on the "Fanciers' Progressive Movement," commenced on Tuesday evening, was continued at some length, and it . was eventually decided: That the governing bodies of New Zealand Poultry Association and the South Island Poultry Association and Championship Association each elect one delegate to formulate suggestions as to show government and regulation and kindred subjects, and frame a report to the next conference. PRESIDENTIAL ADDBES3. The President, in the course of his address, said that the most prominent feature . of the poultry industry during last year was " the increase in the price of wheat and other fowl foods, with the result that eggs had cost more than ever to produce, and had realised higher prices. Poultry sent to the markets had sold at prices never before reached in New Zealand. The Egg Circles might reasonably claim that they had saved the situation, and while it was extremely hard to say what the market would have been -without them., he was of opinion that times would have have been considerably harder for the oroduoers if the circles had not been in existence. It would be a good policy for the Egg Circles to look a little further ahead in the future, and endeavour to make provision for the supply of sufficient wheat and other poultry foods for their members to carry thom through the year. The wneat position thi3 year was a cause for much anxious thought. Referring to the tendency to increase ihe number of egg-laying competitions, he expressed the opinion that two in each island were ample, and these should be liberally subsidised by the Government. On the question of the appointment of' an organiser, he said that if the right man could be obtained he would be a big help to put the industry on a more satisfactory footing than it was on at present. The whole difficulty in the way was the matter of finding tho salary of such an official. Unless the societies and circles were prepared to support the association by way of a levy en their members there did not seem much hope of increasing the utility of the association to any marked extent. Mr Merrett moved a hearty vote of thanks to the president for his address, which, he said, embodied some very excellent ideas for the betterment of the poultrv industry. He thought it was time they attempted some concrete method for -getting a proper supply of wheat for the poultrymen at a reasonable price. At the present time wheat was absorbed by the millers, who also grabbed the fowl wheat which ;really was the inheritance of. the poultrymen in New Zealand. Recently he had telegraphed to the Board of Trade that the wheat requirements of poultrymen throughout the country this year would be 1,500,000 bushels, but apart from an acknowledgment of the telegram nothing had been done. He considered that there should be a fowl wheat controller appointed to look after the interests of poultrymen. He pointed out in this connection that it would be advisable for the people to combine in each district and rdve a guarantee to take a certain quantity of ■wheat each year. Had this been done last year instead of being subsequently called'upon to pay 10s od per bushel, they could have had their requirements met at 6s 7d per bushel. On the subject of the appointment of an organiser, he said that he had been assured that if such an official were appointed, the Government would subsidise his salary up to £4OO a year for the first, year, by £3OO the second and £2OO the next, and thereafter „>t was expected that the association would be able to finance the matter themselves. Now, this association was a very big body, having some 10,000 members, yet it had no proper system of finance. Mr Merrett next touched on the question of the export trade that could be done by poultrymen in New Zealand if they had a proper organisation. Thousands of dozens of eggs and thousands of tons of pulp were exported annually from Australia to San Francisco, the eggs realising 2s 3d per _ dozen. The Americans were eating Australian efrsrs and Sending their fresh eggs to the Eastern States and to England, where they were sold for 4s 6d per dozen. Mr Boddington s-conded the motion, which,' after some discussion, was carried bv acclamation, and the singing of ''For He's Jolly Hood Fellow." The president, suitably acknowledged the compliment paid him. THE HAGUE CONGRESS. Mr Boddington moved—" That representations be made to the Government to provide funds for being represented at The Hague Conference by the Chief Government Poultry Instructor and a member of the association." —The motion was seconded by Mr D. T.' Gibson. An amendment that the number of representatives be deleted from the motion was lost, and the motion, after some discussion, was carried. REMITS. Tho President moved —"That the Government be asked to carry'out the promise that no Customs duty be charged on imported poultry requisites." Mr Love seconded. Mr Green said this was a. very selfish proposal. • The members Drotested against

the importation of Asiatic eggs into the dominion, then how could they take up a different 'attitude in regard to requisites. He contended that if they wanted their own industry protected, then why were they not loyal to the other local industries? Mr Gee opposed the remit on the ground that New Zealand was a protective country. Incubators could be made jn New Zealand. Mr Carolin thought it would be a big mistake to place a duty on incubators made in America. They were better hatchers than the local article. Mr Boddington said the sooner they got away from the habit of patronising America and left her out the better. What consideration was America showing England? None at all. What did they, show during the war? Mighty little, and the less said about America to-day the better it would be for all concerned. If they wanted the imported incubators let them get them from Australia. Mr Jefferies said his association was utterly opposed to this remit, and he could not understand why the conference should take up the attitude it was in this matter, while in regard to other similar matters its attitude was quite different. The remit was defeated. The President moved-—" That the Railway Department be asked to charge a flat rate on eggs carried by rail, instead of the present system in vogue."—After a general discussion the motion was defeated on the voices. The President moved—" That the High Commissioner be asked to cable out the London market price of poultry and eggs when cabling the priG'e of New Zealand products." Mr Boddington seconded. The remit was adopted. It was decided to hold the next conference in Auckland. Mr S. H. Sbott moved—" That when the Government is advertising the suitableness of tho dominion for industries on the land special mention should be made of poultry farming as a livelihood either by itself or in combination with fruit and bee farming; that the export of stud birds from tho laying strains &o well established in the dominion be encouraged by the Government in its journals and literature making special mention of records put up in the dominion's laying competitions." Mr*W. J. Smart seconded. After a somewhat involved discussion the motion Avas carried. Mr Liggins moved—" That the Government be urged to legislate against imported eggs from any country except produced within the British Empire." Mr Gee seconded the motion, and in doing so he said that they would be doing # sc.mething to foster a British product, and 'their aim surely was to develop industries within tho Empire. Mr Merrett * said it was not wiso for them to take up this attitude while they were not able to supply the local demand. Last year £44.000 worth of eggs were imported into the dominion—£27,ooo worth from China and Japan and the balance from Australia. It would be a silly thing to go to the Government and suggest legislation along the lines indicated by tho resolution. It was necessary to import eggs in the meantime, but he preferred that they be imported from other parts of the Empire. Mr Carolin said that the Government of the dav was noted for its efforts to reduce th. 3 cost of living—(laughter),—and if they "agreed to a proposal to prohibit the importation of eggs it would mean that the price of New Zealand eggs would jump up Is in price. The motion was carried. Mr Liggins moved: "That the Government fix the price of bran and pollard at the same rate, so that millers would have no inducement to adulterate pollard with ground bran." Mr Love seconded. The motion was negatived. Mr Liggins brought forward a remit to the effect that poultry-stealing be made a crime, and that offenders be punished with imprisonment. He pointed out that in Christchurch poultry breeders lost heavily each year through having valuable birds stolen, Mr Gee seconded tho motion. Mr Merrett, in supporting the motion, said that he knew of the case of a returned soldier who had started in the poultry industry, and who had had 72 out of a total of 144 pullet's stolon. Doubtless the theft was committed by some cur for whom the soldier had been fighting. The motion was carried Conference passed, a remit, from Christchurch which urged that a standard be set up to prevent the adulteration of pollard. ■ Another remit from Christchurch, that State flour mills be established in the North and South Islands was defeated by an overwhelming majority, and a further proposal that the conference set up a committee to report as to the advisabiliy of the association running a co-operative flour mill was withdrawn. It wa s agreedy that the Government be asked to place the poultry farmer on the same footing as other, farmers in regard to railwav concessions. Mr Green moved: "That the Government be asked to assist poultry farmer s in securing an adequate supply of wheat and to see that a reasonable price is fixed for seconds." Mr Boddington seconded the motion, which was carried after a brief discussion. Mr Meadows moved : "That the Government be asked to continue its experiments with poultry foods in order to find a substitute for wheat, especially to test the growing and feeding of the Soya bean." Mr Green seconded. Mr Brown (the Government expert) paid that one of the best substitutes for the ordinary foods for fowls was lucerne, chaff, and meal. • Red clover was almost as good. Lucerne had been tried with most gratifying results. Mr Carolin, speaking with reference to lucerne food, said that the danger was that unless lucerne was, properly ground it was a menace to the fowls. Ho understood that Auckland was the only centre where a proper machine for grinding lucerne was Doing worked. Mr Liggins gave the conference the benefit of his experience in connection with the growing of Soya beans. He said that it cost bim something Ike £4O to land tho seed in New Zealand. The first year his results wero satisfactory, hut ho had not reckoned on the effect of frosts on Soya beans,, and the next year a heavy frost destroyed, his whole crop, and he did not get a bean from it. Soya beans were a good food, being full of oil. As a matter of fact in Japan butter was made from these beans, and large quantities of oil were extracted from them. The motion was carried. It was decided that the association sup-

port a policy of establishing egg-laying competitions, two in the North Island and two in the South Island. The executive brought forward a recommendation that the conference should adopt a new method of finance. Mi- Merrett said it was time they had a sound system of finance. If a levy of Is per 100 dozen of eggs were made it would giv.3 them £7OO a year, and tf 6d per.loo dozen were levied they would have £350 a year. Mr Graham moved—" That a levy of Is per 100 dozen eggs be made on all affiliated members of the association. Mr Gallichan seconded the motion, but suggested that the words "and all other producers " be added to the motion. The suggestion was agreed to. Mr 'Gee suoported the motion. H.e considered it was time that the financial -position of the association was put into something like proper order. He thought the levy should be Is per 100 dozen eggs for the first year. , Mr Scott favoured the motion, but stated that in his opinion 6d per 100 dozen eggs would be sufficient for the first year. The question having been raised as to what support would be forthcoming - from the fanciers, a. member suggested that they pay a lew of bd per entry for shows. Mr Jefferies, one of the leading fanciers in the dominion, asked if the association would take a hand in the management of poultry shows throughout • the dominion. His reason for askirer this question was that at the present time he d;d not know in what way the fanciers could help the association financially. The President assured Mr Jefferies that the association would assist in the management of shows in every way. Mr Jeffries said he was prepared to do his utmost to- formulate a scheme whereby the fanciers might be able to assist the association financially. The President suggested that 6d per 100 dozen eggs would be sufficient in the meantime. He pointed out that if the Is per 100 dozen were carried it might be turned down by the different egg circles throughout the domfnion. He had grave doubts whether the Auckland Egg Circle would ratify the terms of tire motion. In the circums.tances Mr Gibson amended his motion to read —"Sixpence per hundred dozen, etc.," and the' amendment was withdrawn. The motion was carried as amended. The executive brought forward the proposal that the Government be asked to increase the grant to £SOO for the Auckland egg-laying competition. This was agreed to without discussion. Mr Gee moved —"That as a great international laying test is to be held at The Hague, commencing October, 1920, and extending to September, 1921, the Government bo asked to pay freight on half-a-dozen representative teams from New Zealand; the Government Poultry Instructor to approve and arrange for transit of all teams." The proposal was defeated. Mr Smart (Otago) moved —"That the Government be requested to spend 6n the Milton Poultry Station, at an early date, a sum of money sufficient to bring the buildings and plant up to modern requirements." . ' Mr Gibson seconded. Mr Gallichan supported th'e motion, but suggested that the words "And also_ to establish an experimental farm at Wellington at the earliest possible moment." Mr Smart agreed. The motion was carried. A similar motion was brought forward by the president in respect to Tauranga, and this was oaTried, as also was a remit on the same lines from the Oamaru Egg Circle. Mr Smart (Otago) moved—" That the Government poultry experts be provide_d with motor cars to enable them to do their work more efficiently." : Mr Gibson seconded.—Carried. Mr Jefferies moved—" That the S.I.P.P. and C. Association, through the conference, arrange with the Government suitable halls at a nominal price in different centres for the annual shows of poultry societies." Mr Drano seconded the motion, and it was carried. Mr Green moved—" That the Government be urged to secure shipping space for export orders of poultry that is being denied to shippers." Mr Drane seconded. —Carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected: President, Mr E. J. Ross (Christchurch) ; vice-presidents—Mr S. H. Scott (Auckland), Mr J. Jarvis (Palmerston North); secretary and treasurer, Mr J. B. Merrett (Oliristchurch): assistant secretary, Mr J. Liggins. (Christchurch); Executive Council —Messrs A. S. Holmes, H. M. Boddington, A. G. Mumby. E. Gallichan, A. M. Love; auditor, Mr C. Wren; adviser, Mr F. C. Brown. The conference concluded its sitting at 6.50 p.m. SOCIAL EVENING. Members of the Poultry Association and a ivumbct- of their lady friends spent a most enjoyable evening at the Strand Tea-rooms on the 10th. They were present as the guests of the Oamaru Egg Circle, and the excellent programme submitted was arranged by the Dunedin Fanciers' Club. Mr T. Cox, of Oamaru, presided, and a number of toasts were honoured.