GEAR MEAT COMPANY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 71, 17 December 1919, Page 10

GEAR MEAT COMPANY

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of tho Goal Meat Preserving aud Freezing Company was held yesterday. Dr. A. li. .Newman presiding. Dr. Nowman read apologies for tho absence of Messrs. W. H. Millward and 11. Beanchamp. Tho chairman, in moving the' adoption of tho report and balance-sheet, congratulated shareholders upon the results of the year's oporatious. He thought, however, it was only fair to the company to «tato that tho profits had been considerably enlarged by the enforced storage of meat and wool at rates fixed by the Imperial Government. Then again for two years prior to the signing of the armistice there had beon no shipping available for cither tallow or pelts, and these had necessarily to be held until an opportunity occurred to realise them. During that time* large quantities accumulated, and when tliey were sent forward they met unprecedented!}- high prices. As forecasted at the previous meeting the quantity of stock slaughtered was, owing to congested stores, less than that of tho previous season, and thero did not appear to be any likelihood of expansion this year. The freezing companies having received instructions to ceaso telescoping carcasses there vould be a storage loss of 25 per cent, or ir.ore, and even if refrigerated tonnage lo that additional extent wero available the results would only be the some. In the interests of the producers it was u ell that the old method was to be reverted to, so that when tho Government contract expired the market was likely to lie clear of those carcasses, which, owing to their' being cut across the most valuable parts, wero not viewed favourably by the trade. It would also create a clear lino of demarcation between the fresh and lor.g stored meat. There were many opinions as to the world's shortage of meat, but it might be as well to remember that in the meantime not only were there largo quantities in hand at tho son rows of origin, but tho stores in Great Britain wero practically full a.nd the discarge of steamers was being delayed on that account. The Continental countries found the adverso lato of exchange an obstacle to their purchasing beyond • barest requirements, and nt the moment there was little demand in Central Europe for canned goods. After 3(5 years of unremitting hard work and single-hearted devotion to tho comnnny, tho managing director had resigned his position. No words could express the high esteem and deep affection which each director felt for Mr. Millward, which was equally shared by all tho company's employees and the company's customers. A man nf real genius, with tho highest powers of organisation, be carried tho 'niiipany to its present high position. Ho wan endowed with great determination, great tact, n wonderfully kind heart, and conducted the business in tho highest levels nf commercial morality. The directors trusted that by complete rest l.ia htnlth might bo completely restored, and that for rears to come his advice might be available to the' company.

Jfr. W. H. S. JioorhmiFe seconded Iho motion, and it was carried.

Tho retiring directors, TJr. A. K. Newman and Mr. H. Beauchamp, wero reelected. The retirinqr auditors, Messrs. Ern?st W. Hunt and E. K. Dymock wore reappointed.