NEW PREMISES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 31, 6 February 1941, Page 13

NEW PREMISES

TRIBUTE TO ENTERPRISE

THE CO-OPERATIVE SPIRIT

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

WANGANUI, February 4. "This building is a monument to the hard work and industry of the "management and staff," said the Leader of the National Party, Mr. Holland, in opening the new premises in Marton of the New Zealand Farmers' Cooperative Distributing Company, Ltd., today. He said he felt honoured in being asked to perform the ceremony. The enterprise demonstrated what private enterprise was and what it could accomplish. It. was typical of the spirit of the pioneers who had made New Zealand, and was an incentive to other companies.

In building a modern store in Marton, it was the aim of the company to give increased service to clients, Mr. Holland said. He often wondered how much progress would have been made by the pioneers if they had been surrounded by the present fences of restriction.

"The great virtue of the co-opera-tive movement is that there is no compulsion about it," said Mr. Holland. "The sound position of the company shows thai farmers can manage their own affairs with every success." In. tracing the history of the company, Mr. Holland said it was founded in 1903 to cater for the Rangitikei district, but with its progressive policy it now served the interests of the "Wellington Province. The company's capital was £135,000 and the turnover was between £1,500,000 and £2,000,000 per annum. This was an excellent testimonial to sound management. The opening was attended by more than 200 people. Mr. T. Gordon, chairman of directors, and bMr. Gordon, M.P. for Rangitikei, were among the other speakers.