RUNANGA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 5 October 1934, Page 3

RUNANGA NOTES

Co-op. Society A SUCCESSFUL SEASON! The annual meeting of the Itunanga Co-operative Society was held in the Gymnasium on Wednesday evening. Mr. C. Millar (President) in the chair. Their was a large attendance <»T shareholders’. The minutes of the last halt yearly nieeling were read and eon firmed. The synopsis of commit ice meetings were then read and questions invited thereon. The chairman stated the boot repairing building was now to be used as an egg preservative storage house. lie added that it was necessary to prohibit smoking in the bake house. Mr. Morris moved that the Committee and Management be congratulated on the improvements affected in the Grocery Department. This was seconded by Mr. C. 'l’yson and carried. It wtis resolved that the synopsis of meetings be approved. REPORT. The Committees report was then read and approved, after which the Balance Sheet was then detailed. The report stated: Your Committee have much pleasure in submitting for your approval the half-year report and balance-sheet for the six months ending September Ist, 1934. The period under review has shown a marked increase in turnover, over the previous six months. Every department, with the exception of the Bakery Department, shows increases, the, total increase being .£7(19/3/- over tin* previous period. Your (‘oiiiinill eei very much appreciate this, especially in \iew of the very lean limes experienced al the mines. The Committee feel sure that Members will also appreciate the increase in sales. Your Committee to get her with the Management, are making every endeavour to make your store as attractive as possible in every way. It remains, therefore, for members to be loyal, and support their own concern. By doing so, you will still lead the way as far as Co-opera-lion in New Zealand is concerned. From North to South, the Runanga Co-operative Society is quoted as a model as to what Co-operation should Im. This is something to be proud of, and your committee are desirous that we should always bp in the forefront. "With the members’ continue! loyalty, the future should have no no fears. During the six months, extensive alterations have been carried out in the Grocery Department. Members will agree that it is a decided asset to the Store. The goods are

kept fresh and clean, under glass, and members have the opportunity of seeing their requirements. A more efficient service has been in evidence. Tn this respect your Committee feel that members should have no cause for complaint, more especially when it must be noted that the Staff has been under extreme difficulties due to sickness on the part of the Staff. On Argust. Ist, the second Conference of the New Zealand Co operative Alliance was held in Wellington, your So-

.ciety being represented by the President, Mr. Millar, a nd Secretary, Mr. Bowes, delegates’ expenses being paid by the Alliance. A report of the Conference appears in the September issue of the ‘‘Co-operator.” The Conference \va.A highly successful from every point of view; and the Directors appointed to carry on the good work for the next twelve months,- are men of outstanding ability. Already great strides have, been made to link up Societies in the North Island, especially iu the Dairying Districts It only remains for existing Societies to co operate in every possible way, in fos tering the spirit "I’ Co-operation. Your Society has given valuable assistance in the way of correspondence, but. from a. practical point, of view not. much help has been given, especially with the purchase of “The Go-operator.” It may be recalled that at the last halfyearly meeting the proposal was turned down, and members were asked to individually support. Every effort was made in this direction, but. only sixty members agreed to lake the Cooperator. You will be again asked at the next meeting to reconsider the decision, and it is to be hoped you will give your whole-hearted support Io the Alliance, and thus help along the Co-operative Commonwealth. In conjunction with the last Alliance Conference, a display and exhibition of C.W.S. Goods was given by Mr. 11. Young, Manager of the C.W.S. Department. The goods were of outstanding quality, just as C.W.S. goods are known to lie, and the prices werel competitive. Mr. Rae was present, at the Exhibition, and Mr. Bowes also attended, with the result that a nice range of goods, suitable for all departments have just landed, with a further consignment to arrive about Christmas lime. Members will be well advised to inspect, and eomjiare the. goods for qualify and price. The total sales amount to £18,702 4/1, being an increase of £769/3/- over the previous period. The Grocery Department shows an increase of £334 11/10, Boot Department, £lO4/12/10. Drapery Department £240/5/7, Carting Department £94/16/-, the Bakery show ing a decrease of £5/6/3. Dividends and withdrawals amount to £2,043/10/ 6d, share capital paid in, £167/17/9; leaving the present capital at £7BOl/I’B 6d, a reduction of £lB5/19/6. £6,493 12/8, less depreciation £3OO is invested, and as an offset against present values, £1,309/14/9 stands in the Contingency Fund. Nine new men'ibers have joined the Society, and five have withdrawn, leaving the present membership at 502. After allowing for interest and depreciation, the sum of £1,764/13/7 is available for distribution as follows: — ]6,200 members’ payments at 2/2 in the £ which will absorb £.1,755, the balance £9/13/7 is to be placed to the Reserve Fund. The overhead expenses are a fraction under 15 per urn!, as against 15 : | per cent. the. previous half year. Outstanding ac omits are | reduced by £202/12/5 over the prev : 1 ous six mouths. Your Coin mi 11 <*«• are extremely pleased with the resnl*- | shown, and have to express their sincere thanks to the, Manager and his Staff for their efforts in this direcI Mr. Morris asked whether tin- writ-

ting-off of the buildings to a nominal cost would effect the amount of insurance. The chairman replied in the negative. The Secretary drew the shareholders attention to the continued increase of the Contingency Fund, which meant, that this fund would more than meet any losses. On the motion of Mr. J. Morris, seconded by Air. T. Williams, the balance sheet was received as highly satisfactory. Before vacating the chair, Mr. MilJar iiindr an appeal to the Rnnangn members Io support (he “ N.Z.. Co-op erntor. ’’ a journal published by the N.Z. CD-operative Societies. He also thanked the members for their fast loyal support. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr. Millar, being the only nomination for the position of President, was re-elected. Returning thanks for the confidence placed in him, he assured members that he would do all in his power to further the interests of the For the Committee (three required) the ladies guild forwarded a letter nominating Mrs. W. Wright, also a letter from Air. E. Kennedy, offering his services. Those nominated were: Airs. W. Wright, Alessrs E. Kennedy, E. Flood and J. Smith. On a ballot being taken, the three latter were elected. For the office of Trustee, Air. ®T. Piner, being the only nomination, was duly elected. GENERAL BUSINESS. Mr. Morris moved that the secretary subscribe for copies of ‘‘ r l?he Co-oper-ator’’ equal In Hie number of members i>f the. Society. This was seconded by Mr. Piner. Mr. Bowes (Sec-retary-manager), strongly supported the resolution, pointing out the effects of the journ? l in creating interest i r the movement, and thereby stimulating interest in other societies. The chief benefit would be mass buying and, at the same time, an increasing of the export, trade in New Zealand produce in exchange for goods from the C.W.S. Co-operative manufacturers. Mr. Wil I’m ms asked if this paper accepted articles on social , political, and national questions. The secretary replied that, to his mind, most articles would be accepted by the literary staff. Air. .T. AlcTaggart suggested that, seeing that at present only sixty members were subscribing, it would be better to make a cash donation to the Co-operative Alliance. On the motion being put it was carried with one dissentient. ATr. Morris moved Hint the Society inaugurate a. system of bacon curing. His chief reason was that, instead of investing their money in other direc- | f heir society be fostered in that dTection. At the present time, it was only a distributing concern. The wns ripe for them to embark on the ma nu factum of various commodifies. The mo- pi- felt that thev could com; ' tr with other producers and sell to the members a better article. ATr. R. McTnggart seconded the motion, stressing the possibilities launchin" out <»ii !.hi- raising and ••liri.ug <’if

bacon. After a deal of discussion, the motion was lost. Air. V. Armstrong asked if a member borrowed £lOO from the Society with no security would the member be unfinancial. The Secretary said there was no money on loan with no security. Air. J. McTaggart brought up the matter of the restoration of the 10 per cent. cut. The Chairman stated that they had the members to consider, but as soon as the workers in the mines were restored their cut, the Committee would favourably consider the restoration for the Society ’s staff. It was moved by Air. ,T. McTaggart, seconded by Mr. J. Morris, that the ten per cent, cut be restored. An amendment by Air. Wililams that the question be left in the hands of the Committee was carried. Air. Lee brought up the matter of the election of officers by ballot of the whole of the members. The President stated that it would be necessary to give notice of motion for next meeting. ATr. Lee then gave notice that all shareholders he given the right to vote, and that rule dealing with same be altered accordingly. It was decided that in future general meetings be held on Monday evenings so as not to clash with union meetngs. The meeting then closed.