THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 November 1932, Page 4

THE POULTRY INDUSTRY.

The introduction in the House of Representatives on Tuesday of the Poultry Amendment Bill, providing for the establishment of a Poultry Board whose functions will be the organisation of the poultry industry and the better ordering of overseas and local marketing of eggs, is . interesting to the many poultrymen in Taranaki. In fact any proposal containing a possibility of relief from the disastrous position into which the industry has fallen during the past year will be eagerly welcomed and examined. It is true that the great disparity between the price of 1 the principal fowl foods and the return received for the eggs is the chief cause of the poultryman’s present unhappy lot, and in trying to solve this problem the proposed board will have a hard nut to crack. There are other ways, however, in which a board has scope for effecting considerable improvements, such as providing for the cleanliness and proper conduct of poultry runs, and instructing poultrymen in the most modern and economic methods of egg production. By cb-operatidn it may be possible to secure a reduction in the cost of fowl food, and there is even scope for research work in such subjects as the breeding of the right poultry. stock and possibly in the securing of a uniform egg.. Taking the long view, the proposal to utilise part of the funds of the board to subsidise producers who are exporting eggs may have the effect of opening up and consolidating new markets that would be of lasting benefit. The registration fees suggested in the Bill are not such that should embarrass even the small poultry farmer, and the fact that the Bill emanated in the first place from the New Zealand Poultry Association seems to indicate that in general it has the support of the industry. Possibly the chief motive behind the proposed legislation is a desire to stabilise egg prices. This is not an easy matter, particularly with a perishable commodity. Control of marketing is fraught with pitfalls when it involves an interference -with the natural law of supply and demand. In this. matter, and in guarding against the imposition of minor restrictions that would harass the householder keeping a few fowls to augment his income, great caution is advisable. In other respects the Bill will no doubt prove generally acceptable. If the Government wishes to be really helpful to the industry, however, it could do nothing, better than completely remove ' the present onerous duties oh poultry foodstuffs.