MEAT EXPORT COMPANY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1207, 16 August 1911, Page 8

MEAT EXPORT COMPANY.

ANNUAL MEETINC. THI-; CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS. Tho annual meeting of the WeUinEton Meat. Export Company, ljtd., wnp held yesterday in the National Mutual Life Buildings. Mr. W. (i. Foster provided. The annual report and ijalance-shcrt have already bocii published. In niflvurz their adoption, the chairman sajd that the season hn-d commenced here with every appearance of a continuance of the pnod prices of last year, especially for lanili, and. in consequence, operations wero conducted on level?, which the subsequent continuously declining course of the market in the United Kingdom did not warrant. "For the ureatcr part of the ■reason," continued the chairman, "prices continued tallinc, and business wa* done without profit, fo far aa frozen meat was concerned. Fortunately, a recovery took place, in fairly Eood time, and our stocks of frozen meat then afloat aud in hand met a. better fate with satisfactory results. "The serious and, comparatively, sudden decline in values for frozen meat in Home markets in the earlier part of the year was not attributable to over-supply, but was traceable lamely to the 'bear' tactics of certain operators. At the time there wa= no congestion of stores in the United Kingdom, nor were visible ' enroute ' supplies in such volume as to materially affect prices. It is satisfactory to tlud that, notwithstanding that the imports of frozen meat to the United Kingdom from Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand show an increase of 435.500 carcasses of mutton, 593.0C0 carca?ses of lamb, 854,900 quarters of bejf over the preceding year, the consumption seems to be able to keep pace with supplies. At the moment the market is easier, no doubt somewhat owing to the usual heavy supplier- of Continental ajid ewe muttc.n, but it is.a long while to the new season, and an early recovery may reasonably he expected. Our other exports have continued fairly steady in values Handling at Home, "After striving for a considerable time to induce tho frcezinc companies in New Zealand to 'associate' with the object of insisting upon a betterment of the meat trade by way of improved methods of handling, both en route and at the United Kingdom, a. conference of North Island freezins companies was held here towards the end of last year, tli3 whole of tho North Island companies beine represented. A good understanding was arrived at, and. finally, it was a.greed, by those companies who have n-jt London office?, to appoint a representative to .watch and, to the utmost possible extent, prevent any' damage in handling. Dr. W. V. Robinson, L.K.C.P., Lon., 5 West Simithficld, London, who has been for many years closely associated with frozen meat surveys in London, was selected, and he has been acting for somo months past with Rood results and better prospects. . "A Etrons movement'on the' part of the producers has resulted in their appointing a gentlcuiau to act , in the same direction at Home in their iuterests." Insurance) Policy. After speaking of his own impressions regarding the. handling at Homo- (reported elsewhere), the chairman continued:— "So far as the,measure of damage is concerned, this company's arrangements for insurance are nich as provide us here with precise detailed information of every claim for ("amacc, and the proportion of damage claim:-, paid amounts only to .274 per rent., or, say, ss. per. cent, of the in■for the handling that our meat at any rdtc receives. Our policy covers bonetaint also, but, by a. preventative method we have adopted for the past, two seasons, we have entirely obviated this trouble, and we have not had a single, claim on this score durius the season. Shareholders will be glad to learn that the company's products in every department of its operations still maintain their liiiih reputation for ouality, and secure correspondingly high prires. In fact, to o.uot* from 'The rastoralists' Review' of May 15:Oue of the points that an observer notes bcro with, regard to the sale of New Zealand meat is the uniformly high position held by the W.M.E. Company's meats. The brand stands very high, and there is but, id. per II). between "W.M.E. Down lambs and Canterbury. Deceased Directors. "I cannot, close my-remarks without reference to the loss thecompauy has sustained in the death of two of its director?, Messrs. G. 0. Wheeler and 11. Holmes, whose untirius ctforls in the country and at the board conduced very materially to the augmentation of our business. Their influence in the country was exerted with beneficial results. In continuation- of.--the past policy of the company, a. policy which has been found successful and consenucnt'y desirable, of enlisting the direct support of tho producer, yoi'.r board has' annotated Messrs. li. Newman, M.]\, and James Campion, both of the West Coast, to fill the vacancies. Retiring Directors, "The retiring directors this year- arc Messrs. W. 11. Dectham and J. W. Marshall, both of whom have been on the board since the start of the compauy, and whose assistance and support of the company's interests have been consistently and successfully applied. They are. however, eligible, and offer themselves for re-elect-ion, and, in the best interests of the company, directors hope that shareholders will return them." The motion for the adoption of the report and balance-sheet was seconded by Mr. J. Ilott, who expressed satisfaction at the- conduct of the company's affairs by the. directorate. ■ - The motion was carried. Re-appointments. The retiring directors. Messrs. W. H. Beetham and J. W. Marshall, were re-ap-pointed. The remuneration of the directors was fixed at the same amount as last year. The chairman made complimentary reference to the manner in which the. staff had worked during a. very exacting and trying year. On the motion of Mr. J. Ilott. seconded by Mr. W. liailey, a vote of thanks was passed to tho directors a.nd the staff. Mr. F; D. SHddcn, secretary, roplied on behalf of the staff. The. auditors, Messrs. O. S. Watkins and K. W. Hunt, were re-elected.