BAD ECG PROBLEM

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 41, 19 February 1943, Page 2

BAD ECG PROBLEM

GROCERS PROTEST QUESTIONS FOR MINISTER. Wellington, Feb. 17. “We are emphatically of the opinion that they were unfit for human consumption when we got I them,” affirmed the Wellington Master Grocers’ Association last night, when discussing the quality [ of eggs. They also stated, “We wish to deny Mr. Barclay’s assertion regarding the quality of the eggs lately supplied to the retail trade that they were in first-class order when received by us.” The meeting was fully representative and largely attended. Mr. H. A. Fanselow presided. In a statement the association held that “Full compensation must be made to our members, who will in turn recompense oiieir customers, and this meeting empowers the president and two members to negotiate with Combined Distributors in fixing what percentage should be allowed as satisfactory to all concerned. I “Though this association has at all times tried to co-operate in every way with the International Marketing Department, we are far from satisfied with the treatment we have received from them. We would like to ask the Minister of Marketing the following questions:— (1) Who was responsible for the grading and testing of the eggs which he considered to be in first-class condition when sent out?

“(2) Was it legal for Australian chilled eggs to be mixed with local eggs and sold to us as fresh eggs at the full price?

“(3) As the Price Tribunal is so strict over the wholesale and retail prices of eggs, did it give its permission to Combined Distributors co charge the same price for these Australian eggs as for local new-laid eggs? “(4) Though during the flush season eggs have been plentiful throughout New Zealand, we have never received our full quota of eggs, having mainly to be content with 25 per cent., and even as low as 12i per cent., of the eggs required by us. “(5) In view of the foregoing, the members of the Wellington Master Grocers’ Association feel that an investigation of the present egg marketing conditions should be carried out as soon as possible and that the committee apoointed should include members of the retail grocery trade in Wellington.”

The association also adopted the following series of resolutions:— That an all-the-year price be fixed for eggs, covering the whole Dominion. That all eggs be controlled by the Internal Marketing Department throughout New Zealand. That the clavjse in the Wellington district regulations permitting the producer to sell to the public direct be immediately deleted, thus increasing the quantity of local eggs for distribution through the recognised channels.

That the Minister of Marketing be asked to co-operate with the Minister of Railways and Transport to ascertain what quantities of eggs are being delivered by rail or road to sources other than Combined Distributors, the recognised source of distribution.