FARM TRANSPORT

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 12915, 9 December 1939, Page 5

FARM TRANSPORT

SPECIAL_MEETING PLAN TO ESTABLISH COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION APPROVED LAST NIGHT A special meeting of farmers, held, in the Civic Theatre last night, was attended by Messrs A. C. Harrison, G. Burbery, E. Ainsworth, P. T. Ream, H. G. Lever, T. Lochhead, .1. Lochhead, A. Snodgrass, C. S. Moffatt, J. Burns,' F. B. Hartstone, R. Neilson, E. M. Talbot, F. Merriman, ’R. Johnston, O. Lloyd, H. Parker, G. Chapman, H. Titterton, H. J. Clarke, S. J. Parker, H. A. Gardner, | T. Carroll, V. A. Hine, S. Tollemache, j Ea E. Hammond, R. Strugnell, H. J. 1 Angus, J. K. Hamilton, C. Ball, S. 1 Fleming, W. Fullerton, Hodge, I. I Tangitu, A. Wood and F. W. Ream. I Mr' Harrison, President of the local Branch of the Farmers’ Union, explained that the meeting had been called to deal with the question of establishing a Co-operative Transport Association. The Auckland Executive of the Union had advanced the nucleus funds for establishing such an Association, and it would be necessary for the farmers to find a certain amount of capital. Arrangements had been made for the taking over of three carrying businesses. , The Association would be established on the following lines; The Association was being formed primarily for the purpose of organising transport in the Taaranga area upon a co-operative basis, the intention being that farmers should take up shares in the Association to < ; provide its capital in accordance with the amount of carrying which they would have done during the year. * ‘ The Association would have the right to issue preferential, transferable and withdrawable shares according as the directors decided. In the case of carriers selling to the Association they would have preferential shares allotted’ to them in’ consideration of the transfer of their assets to the Association; such shares to bear interest and would be preferential as to dividends and capital, but dividends would not be cumulative. The directors . would have the power to redeem these shares. Transferable shares would be. issued to farmer shareholders. The Association have purchased three businesses and are in a position to commence work immediately the Company is incorporated and it is their intention to steps to acquire morp plant at once, The Chairman, continuing, said it was hoped that the operatdrs who were selling their businesses would continue with the Transport Association. Mr G. Burbery had . been appointed the organiser and it wns intended to make a canvass for financial support. f

In reply to a question the Chairman stated that the Directors of the Tauranga Co-operative Dairy Company were,in sympathy with the project. . Mr Burbery referred'to the effect of the emergency regulations in regard to transport, two aims of which were proposals for amalgamation and co-ordination. In another district all the carriers had amalgamated. The owner-operators who had been approached here by the proposed Co-operative Association had intimated their willingness to continue as emp.lo3 ? ees and leave capital in the new company. Bitumenised and improved roads had been brought about by increased rating on farmers but cartage charges- ha£ been increased of late. He contended that farmers and carriers should work on a co-operative-basis in regard to transport. The Chairman gave it as his opinion that overlapping and coilfusion in transport would ,be eliminated by establishing a co-operative association in this district. Mr Burbery quoted an instance of what he termed over-capitalisation in transport which he said was not in the interests of the users. " The Chairman said it was hoped to acquire all the country carriers’ plants^ Numerous questions were asked in regard to capitalisation and answered.. Mr Moffatt moved —That this meeting approves of the co-operative transport scheme and promises to support it financially as individuals to the extent that they see fit. “’’Mr F. W. Keam seconded, and said, the -proposal was in the true interests of the farmers. Mr S. J. Parker moved an amendment —That this meetixig support the scheme in principle.—-Seconded by Mr H. Parker. The amendment was negatived and the motion was put and carried. It w v as agreed that a further meeting of those interested be held on January 5,'- When full particulars regarding the proposed company will be presented;