DAIRY SUPPLY CASE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 18, 22 January 1937, Page 3

DAIRY SUPPLY CASE

(Special to the "Evening Post.") NEW PLYMOUTH, This Day. : All important decision, affecting every dairy company in New Zealand, was given by Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., in the Waverley Court yesterday, when he gave a farmer permission to change to a factory other than the one he had been supplying up till August 1. So far as can be ascertained this is the first ruling on the regulation designed to prevent farmers changing their factories, and though not binding on other Magistrates, it sets a precedent of some consequence. In effect Mr. Salmon ruled that if a supplier is dissatisfied, and if the loss of his supply will not interfere with the proper grading of the milk or prejudice the ; general efficiency and stability of the . company, the company cannot hold him. The case was brought by E. V. So- , land, of Kohi, who sought permission under the regulations to transfer his supply from the Kohi Dairy Co., alleging incorrect weights and tests. The Magistrate found that these allegations were not proved, but allowed the application. Soland, he said, was only a small supplier and was not working in harmony with the company, so there was no reason to retain him. The common law right of liberty of , contract should be preserved unless 1 public interest was infringed.