EGG PRODUCERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3769, 8 June 1926, Page 24

EGG PRODUCERS.

The tenth annual meeting of the Otago Egg Circle was held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms on Friday evening. Mr James Hutton, ot Waiauakarua (president), occupied the chair. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, congratulated the members on the conclusion of a fairly successful year. It had been thought that as a result of the Exhibition egg supplies would have been short and that famine prices would have been obtainable. This prophesy had not come true, ae not only had there been sufficient e F/ a all requirements, but also a considerable carry-over in the shape of pulp and preserved eggs, so that the policy of the circle m proposing to export 20,000 dozen eggs wax fully justified. Unfortunately the shipping strike stopped the export of the eg£s and also diverted the Canterbury supplies, which, however, had been successfully disposed of by the selling agents. Last winter an attempt had been made by interested parties to induce # e Government to (low the importation oi pulp on the grounds that there was a scarcity of pulp in the Dominion. However, the danger was .averted by the New Zealand Poultry Association promptly proving that it could produce enough pulp to fill all requirements. Ow'ing to the mild weather this winter supplies of eggs had kept up longer than usual. Consequently winter egg prices had been on the low side. It had been found necessary to send a considerable number northwards in order to keep the market steady. Owing to the high cost of poultry foods it had been found necessary to increase the price of summer eggs and if the industry were to continue to prosper it would be necessary to keep eggs at a similar price during the coming year. To do so it might be found necessary to export considerable quantitie:. The fact that there was. a surplus of pulp in the Dominion should induce producers to export in quantity. It was most regrettable that more men would not assist in keeping the organisation of the New Zealand Poultry Association going, as it was only by puffing together that they could succeed in making the industry one of the most important in the Dominion. _ , Mr J. T. Harris, who seconded the motion, referred to the urgent need of organisation. Mr A. Macdonald said it was fortunate that the importation of egg pulp had been stopped. Bakers were quite willing to use Chinese egg pulp, which could be purchased at the rate of 6d per dozen eggs. “One year of free market, he concluded, “and the poultry industry of New Zealand would be damned.” Mr Harris added that the industry should be payable notwithstanding tue high price of feed. Higher prices had been paid at auction during the past year than in any other year since the formation of the circle. The motion was carried. The levy on members w ? as fixed at j; 1 per dozen on one month's eggs during the flush season. Messrs Fraser and Co. were reappointed selling agents. The election of office-bearers resulted as follow's: —President, Mr James Hut-to-i (Wainakarua); vice-president, Mr J. i\ Harris (Dunedin); committee —Messrs J*. Ellis (Waitahuna), J. I. Paul (Waitaki South), *F. C. Mountford (Waitaki South). M. S. Hill (Wakari), A. Campbell (Herbert), R. Armstrong (Taieri), N. Ross (Waianakarua), and J. Frasrc (selling agent); secretary and treasurer, Mr A. M. Love (Green Island); auditor, Mr P. F. Bennett.