WORK DONE OR PROJECTED 195 



it would become a serious problem. Those operating in the 

 cheaper districts would be able to cut out others and yet 

 find the business profitable. The prices at which these 

 were able to sell would be the determining factor. 



IMPORTS AND OPPORTUNITIES. 



All the world over the consumption of eggs and poultry is 

 increasing, and this is especially the case in countries where 

 the leading of " the strenuous life " favours a lighter dietary, 

 more particularly for the mid-day meal, or in Continental 

 countries where, again, boiled eggs are being more and more 

 eaten as an addition to the orthodox coffee, rolls and butter 

 for breakfast, while increasing wealth allows of a more 

 general indulgence in small luxuries. 



This greater consumption by the world in general has led 

 to decreased imports and increased prices in this country, 

 as is well shown by the following table, which gives imports, 

 in great hundreds (a " great hundred " is 120 eggs), and 

 values for the years 1906-9 : 



YEAR. IMPORTS. VALUE. 



Gt. hundreds. 



1906 .. .. .. 18,874,059 7,098,122 



1907 ...... 18,567,901 7 I 3553 



1908 ...... 18,210,070 7,183,112 



1909 ...... 17,710,431 7 2 33.932 



In 1910, and again in 1911, there was an increase in 

 imports ; but, comparing the returns for the first six months 

 of 1912 with the corresponding period of 1911, we find a 

 reversion to the decline in imports, with a continuance of 

 the rise in values : 



FIRST HALF OF IMPORTS. VALUE. 



Gt. hundreds. 



ign .. .. .. 8,569,492 3,407,200 



.. .. 8,073,233 3.375.345 



Thus against the drop in imports of 496,259 great 

 hundreds, or 60,000,000 eggs, in six months there was a 

 decline in total values of only 31,855. In other words, 



o 2, 



