THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 52

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

PAST YEAR’S OPERATIONS. AN OPTIMISTIC REVIEW. , AUCKLAND, March 2. Members of the New Zealand Poultry Association commenced their seventeenth annual conference this morning, the president (Mr T. Bruce) presiding. In his address Mr Bruce said he felt very well satisfied as regards the achievements of the past year. At the last conference he had stated that producers were in a much better position than they had occupied for a number of years, that that position would be maintained, and that all that was necessary for complete success was for all the affiliated societies to stick loyally together. To a very large degreo that prediction had proved true. Prices had been on the whole satisfactory although the cost of food had continued h!gh. During the year two very determined efforts had been made to import egg P ul P into the country, but, thanks to the . loyal action of the members of the affiliated societies in carrying out the policy of the association in endeavouring to fulfil the bakers’ requirements during the peak season, and later in giving evidence before the Board of Trade, the association had been a.ble to convince the Board of Trade that the shortage which did exist had been brought about by the attitude of the bakers and pastrycooks. In f ac t, the effort by the bakers and pastrycooks had done much to convince the of Trade of both the Poultry Association’s sincerity and its ability to supply the requirements of the Dominion. Continuing, the president said he had given the wheat position his very best attention. and. had been continually in touch with the Minister of Agriculture and the Department during the whole year. While he was not at present in a position to make any statement regarding the position he asked the conference to accept his assurance that the poultry farmers were receiving every consideration. “I regret that at present there is little chance of -having an Export Bill brought before the House, owing to the small proportion of our export,” declared Mr Bruce. ‘I trust, however, that the conference will again urge the necessity of the registration of poultrymen, as I feel this is one of the most important measures the industry requires at present.” In conclusion, Mr Bruce said he believed that the prospects of the industry were very bright, and all that was required was for affiliated societies to stand shoulder to shoulder, and be loyal to each other.

INDEPENDENT OF FARMERS. A declaration of independence was made when the conference decided to withdraw from the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, with which it has been affiliated for the last five years. The question was raised during the consideration of the executive’s report, which recalled that the previous conference had recommended that the affiliation be cancelled owing to the financial state of the association, and that affiliation, without representation, be sought, which the union would allow at a nominal fee of £5 ss. When asked what were the advantages of affiliation with the Farmers’ Union, the president (Mr T. Bruce) replied that it was a good thing to have all the primary producers’ organisations banded together, as their interests would thus be strongly safeguarded. Mr C. Gibson Young moved that the affiliation be renewed. Having once taken the step of affiliating it was hardly fitting to withdraw. Mr F. H. Cooper seconded the motion. Air G. H. Bradford said that he thought the association had reached a stage where it could stand on its own feet. It was true the subscription was a matter of £5 5s only, exclusive of the representative’s expenses, but the finances of the association were in such a state that every possible opportunity of retrenchment should be seized. It was no use standing on sentiment. Mr J. Hatton: We will not get any cheap wheat through being in the Farmers’ Union.—(Laughter-) Mr J. Liggins observed that he had al ways been impressed with the weight ana force of the arguments used by The association’s delegates whenever there was - deputation to the Government. On such occasions as they had had spokesmen fro—the Farmers’ Union they had to be prompted, and told what to say. Another delegate remarked that there must come a time when the interests of the farmers and poultrymen would be sharply divided. The motion was lost, the association deciding to withdraw from the Farmers’ Union entirely. BANNING OF ART UNIONS. The banning of art unions has affected poultry shows. Mr W. E. Green, of Christchurch, moved that an application .should be made to the Government to reconsider the question of issuing a permit to the South Island Pigeon and Canary Association to hold an art union. Air Green said the shows were erenerally run at a loss, and the money from the art union was devoted entirely to the prizes, the tickets entitled each purchaser to admission to the show. Another member remarked that many societies depended for their existence on these small art unions. They often experienced wet weather at- show time, and but for the art union tickets would derive no revenue. The motion was carried.