EGGS AND POULTRY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143764, 12 April 1912, Page 7

EGGS AND POULTRY.

A PLEA FOR CO-OPERATION. Mr. J. M. Fergusson, of the More a poultry farm, Treatham, Wellington, writes us on tho advantages of co-opera-tion in poultry farming, and invites criticism of his views. He considers that the time is ripe for action, and awaits tho concerted effort of all who have already professed to bo in favour of cooperation in its wiliest application. ADVANTAGES OF CO-OPERATION. Mr. Fergusson writes.: “On again reviewing the great advantages ol a cooperative association, or tho establishment of a clearing house for collecting and distributing eggs sued as now prevails in England, I will attempt to show where tho producers of this Dominion will benefit by similar business methods, if founded upon the proper basis and heartily supported. In tho first place, there would not bo so much waste of time and energy as now exists in finding suitable markets, nor would producers need to worry about marketing or prices. Neither individuals nor egg circles would be troubled with bad debts. At the present time egg circles, although doing good work, are more or lees dependent upon the judgment of their town .agents, who may, and often do, find it difficult to gather in payments for goods supplied. If all eggs were controlled by one organisation the cash could bo demanded before delivery, and the risk of losses minimised. With regard to delivery charges, the only expense to tho producer would ho for railage to the association’s warehouse, and thereafter all the expense would bo borne by the company. In the flush of tho season, when eggs arc in over-supply, bettor prices would bo obtained by distributing the eggs over the whole of the Dominion markets instead of, as under existing conditions, being confined to one centre. Classification would ho don© in the warehouse, and producers and secretaries of egg circles would bo relieved of a great, deal of work and responsibility". Competition between producers for market prices would be eliminated, and they would vie with each other only in respect to who could send in the greatest number of good quality eggs.

SETTINGS AND DAY-OLD CHICKS. “Even these could lie handled by pnblisliing a combined catalogue from which orders could be booked and forwarded in tlie right direction. The disposal of surplus slock, which is now a difficult problem, could bo dealt with to advantage. “I agree with Mr. Brown, the Government Ponlirv Export, regarding tho

rude of eggs by weight, anti recognise that something needs doing to keep op tho standard. Probably romp difficulty would bo experienced in this respect at first, hut if a system of paying according to grade was Minde compulsory suppliers would find it to their advantage to send only the best. ‘•The time will soon arrive when it will be necessary to look for markets abroad, and it is bore that co-oporation will forcibly assert itself, for a largo oversea business cannot he opened up and regularly supplied by individual effort, and now is the time to make preparations for mooting the requirements of the future. “Retailers need not be alarmed that a co-operative association would bo in any way detrimental to their interests; on the contrary, it would, ho a distinct benefit to them. Tho eggs received into their shops would ho classified, marked, tested, and guaranteed to he good value, and the householder would got tho genuine article as far as it is humanly possible. “Other directions that might he mentioned in which co-operation could extend its influence would he in the purchase of foodstuffs on a largo scale, and consequently at a cheaper rate. Stud birds could be ini]Kjrted for breeding purposes for the benelit of those who cannot now afford to lay out large sums in order to .secure a change of blood in their flocks. It is my firm belief that co-operation properly established and capably managed will be of benefit to all connected with tho'poultry industry, and the support of egg circles and individual producers, large and small, Is earnestly solicited so that an early attempt may he made to put into practice a theory which a great many have already professed to admire, and which has been successfully promoted in other countries. It would not bo a difficult matter to find a capable set of directors with sufficient knowledge to capably manage the business, hut producers must first give some definite intimation of their desire to put co-opera-tion into practice.”