POULTRY INDUSTRY BILL

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1932, Page 9

POULTRY INDUSTRY BILL

REGISTRATION OF OWNERS

PROPOSAL TO APPOINT BOARD.

ORGANISATION OF INDUSTRY.

OUTLINE OF THE LEGISLATION

(By Wire —Parliamentary (Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. The principal object of the Poultry Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the House to-day, is the establishment of a New Zealand poultry board, whose functions will be the organisation of the poultry industry and the better ordering of overseas and local marketing. For the purposes of the Bill, which will require the registration of poultry owners producing eggs for sale, a poultry run is defined as any land used for the keeping of poultry and the produetion of eggs for commercial purposes. Two or more poultry runs used by the -same person shall be deemed to be one. The Bill deals only with hens and ducks.

The board will comprise six members, two of whom will be Government representatives appointed by the Gov-ernor-General on the recommendation of the Minister of Agriculture, the other four being producers’ representatives appointed on the recommendation of the New Zealand Poultry Association or other recognised producers’ bodies. All poultry runs subject to the provisions of the Bill must be registered by May 1, 1933, and thereafter annually. The registration fee will be 2s Gd for the first 100 head of poultry, with an additional 2s 6d for each additional 100 or part of 100. Exemptions from payment of the fee .are provided in the following cases:— (1) Where the number of poultry does not exceed 12; (2) where the occupier of a poultry run is in receipt of any pension and: the number of poultry does not exceed 25; (3) where the occupier within three months of 'the registration date has been registered as unemployed and the number of poultry does not exceed 25; (4) where the board considers the payment of the fee would cause hardship. Penalties are provided for failure to register. All moneys received by the board will 'be paid into a separate account which will be used for the payment of the board’s expenses, the salaries of officers employed by the board, travelling allowances and remuneration of hoard members, reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred 'by the •New Zealand Poultry Association organising the industry before the Bill begins to operate, and the subsidising of producers in respect to the export of eggs. Regulations may he made under the Act, “including the conferring of power on the board to exercise such functions in the administration of the Bill as may be considered necessary and the prescription of the purposes for which the board’s funds may be expended. Provision is made for the taking of a poll on the question whether the.proposed legislation should expire. Such a poll must be taken if 'before November 30, 193'5, a petition sighed by not less than 20 per cent, of the paying producers is presented to the -Minister in support of that course being taken. If the poll should favour the expiry of the legislation the Act will cease to operate on April 30, 1930.

: DISCUSSION IN THE HOUSE.

•FEAR FOR HOUSEHOLD OWNERS.

By Telegraph.—Tress Association.

Wellington, Last Night.

■■■ The Poultry Amendment Bill was introduced in the House to-day 'by Gov-ernor-General’s message and read a first time.

Mr. H. 6. S. Kyle (Coalition, Riccarton) protested against the measure, declaring it would impose a restriction on breeding if it became necessary for owners of 12 or 18 hens, to register them.

Mr. J. A. Lee (Labour, Grey Lynn) described the Bill a® an unwarranted interference with the rights of householders. He suggested it: would have the effect of driving householders out of the poultry business in the interests of a few commercial egg producers. Mr. J. A. Nash ('Coalition, Palmerston North) expressed the opinion that there was a general desire for the measure. . '

Mr. P. Fraser (Labour, Wellington .Central) said he hoped the people in the suburbs of the cities who kept a few fowls in order to augment their meagre incomes would not be penalised by the Bill. Mr. R. W. Hawke (Coalition, Kaiapai) said the object of .the.measure was to organise the marketing of eggs in both New Zealand and Britain. The owners of small runs would be well repaid for the registration fee they would be charged because the object of the (Bill was to stabilise prices. • Mr. W. Nash (Labour, Hutt) said •he considered the Bill would develop the poultry industry, and-.with perhaps ■a few minor qualifications he would support the measure.

Mr. Hawke said the measure had really emanated: from the New Zealand •Poultry Association, which had over 2000 members.

The Bill was read a second time pro-, forma and referred to the Agricultural, (Pastoral and Stock Committee.