“BLACK MARKETING"

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 6, 8 January 1944, Page 3

“BLACK MARKETING"

EGGS IN CANTERBURY (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 more than 1,000,000 dozen eggs in 20 weeks to the end of December last the central floor showed a drop in supplies ol 150,000 dozen eggs compared with the corresponding period in 1942. Those eggs, he said, were obviously being sold through illegal channels. Actually the extent of “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 the regulation channels. “The position has now become so serious that the Internal Marketing Division has decided: to take drastic action against those engaged in the black market.” said Mr. Ferguson. From Monday, he said, all eggs distributed on the Christchurch market through legal channels would be stamped with the initials of the Central Egg Floor. This means 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.