BLACK MARKETING

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22785, 8 January 1944, Page 6

BLACK MARKETING

Canterbury Egg Supply SERIOUS POSITION REVEALED (N.Z.P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 7. Black marketing in eggs has reached serious proportions in the Canterbury egg marketing district, according to the chairman of directors of the Central Egg Floor (Mr C. Ferguson) . On a turnover involving over 1,000.000 dozen eggs in 20 weeks to the end of December, the Central Floor showed a drop in supplies 'of 150.000 dozen eggs compared with the figures for the corresponding period in 1942. Those eggs, the chairman said, were obviously being sold through illegal channels. Actually the extent of the black marketing, said Mr Ferguson, was even greater because the eggs received in 1942 did not represent anything like the total that should have come through the Central Egg Floor. It was estimated that an additional 200,000 dozen eggs were not being marketed through regulation channels. “The position has become so serious that the ■ Internal Marketing Division has decided to take drastic action against those engaged in black marketing,” said Mr Ferguson. From Monday all eggs distributed on the Christchurch market through legal channels would be stamped with the initials of the Central Egg Floor. This meant that traders in eggs not bearing the stamp would be liable to prosecution and their eggs confiscated. It was the intention to change the colour of the stamp on eggs each week. That would enable the Central Floor also to cope with complaints about eggs being stale.