POULTRYMEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16986, 9 March 1923, Page 4

POULTRYMEN.

AXXU A L CO X F ERENC E. (Per Press Association.! NELSON, March 8. Tlie Poultry Conference is the largest and most representative gathering ever held in New Zealand in connection with tlie industry. Mr F. C. Brown. Government expert, gave a lecture on tlie quality of eggs for export. Owing to the fact that production had been increased, thousands of pounds which had been sent abroad for Asiatic eggs now remained in the country. While thsre were indications to encourage belief in tlie establishment of an export trade, tho procedure was not so simple. Quality was the first essential, and nothing but first giado eggs should he sent. In a detailed report of work accomplished during iho year, the Executive Committee expressed regret that th» president, owing to ill-health, had been unable to devote much time to the work ol the association. Dealing with the request of Mr Brown. Government Poultry Expert, that a definite policy should be announced on the market, question, it was generally felt that a system of co-operation was essential for the whole Dominion, and in this respect the conference was asked to consider the report submitted at the Dunedin conference, believing that the* scheme expounded would best meet t-heir needs. The scheme evolved by the Marketing Committee proved unworkable owing to there being so manyconflicting forces. It was obvious that little good could lie achieved unless the committee had the wholehearted backing of all societies and authority to control supplies. A number of recommendations preI pared by the Executive Committee, 1 dealing with the industry generally. - wore submitted to the conference for i discussion. The spirit of co-operation ! was needed to make export a success {as well as fuither the interests of local market. Go-operation and export., in the opinion <t the committee, should be the main subjects for discussion at the conference. Mr J. T. Harris said he thought they should get on to something new to work on. The Canterbury co-opera-tion was improving its position. Auckland was established strongly enough to co-operate with the other four centres. In Dunedin they had more confidence and assistance. The price oi eggs would not have fallen to less than Is 3d if any were exported. It would help to stop an over-suppl - i locally, but they did not know yet | whether there would be a surplus. If j they could hold, the price of summer j eggs at Is Id «»r Is sd. it would be a boon to the industry. Mr Bruce explained the position in Wellington, and the harm resulting from the lack oi outside co-operation. The executive report, slightly amended. was considered. Recommendation No. 1. defining egg circle or co-operative society of poultry producers - r marketing eggs and poultry, was discussed at length. Mr E. J. Ross moved:—“That an egg circle or co-operative society oi poultry producers for the marketing oi eggs and pcultrv is. for the purpose of the rules of this association, a society whose members combine for the purpose of marketing their products under their own management and equitably shaTe gains and losses, and the conference recommends the framing of r. uniform set of rules for adoption J bv all societies affiliated.” ' Carried. The following resolution was carried . “That all societies that market egge shall compel their members to stamp their first grade eggs to be used for the retail trade.” The following were elected a market commission:—South Island. Messrs J. i B. Merrett and J. H. Harris; North i Island. Messrs A. S. Holmes and T | Bruce.