FARMERS’ CO-OP. SOCIETY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 26 August 1925, Page 4

FARMERS’ CO-OP. SOCIETY.

WELCOME TO MR. W. A. HEWIIT. COMPLIMENTARY DIN N ER. liie directors of till© N.Z. Co-operu-tive OiTgaiiiU’Siaition Soeteity, Ltd,, invited 'tli© ©ampany’.s ustaif and a lew guests lnomi omtiskte to dinner at the >a\oy tea rooms, Hawem, last evening for the purpose of formally welcoming the receultly aip'puunitieid general manager, Mr. W. A. Hewitt.

'i'll© company & si tail' distributed from Wn.verfey to Waiiitara numbers 130, and members assembled in such lore© that including till© diirecitoins and guests a cxjimjpajiy oi : over oire liuiiclie<i s-u.t- down lafc dinner.

Mr. Alex Hunter, chairman of directors, presided, and was supported by Mr. Hewitt and Mr. C. G. Trotter, who was recently promoted to the position of assistant general manager. After dinner Mr. Hunter, addressing tli© gathering, expressed the pleasure feilt by tli© directors at .seeing so many present to welcome the new general manager of the society. The directors had dal nuo-sit difficult task set tliein in selecting a new general manager, and in appointing Mr. Hewitt, and promoting Mr. Trotter to the position of assistant general manager, he considered they had done the right thing in the best interests of the society. (Applause.) Mr. Hewitt was well known in Taranaki. His training eminently fitted him for the position. He luaid made the Stratford branch for the Loan and Mercantile Co. Mr. Trotter also needed no introduction, he was a favourite with the staff, and the directors intended to adjust bis work so that he would not 'be »-o tied down to one thing as in the past, and thus have more liberty to work in the interests of the society in a way that would be of great value to the concern. On behiailf of the direotor.s he had to thank the staff heads for their excellent work in carrying on in the interval between the departure of the foniner airid appointment of the new general manager. ' They had loyally supported tire society and everything had worked moist .siinoathdy. He was ©'lire that they would work just as well under the new head iats in the past. He was proud of the staff, and when comparison was made between the small staff with which the society had started and the number then present some idea was conveyed as to the growth, the society had made. Mr. Hewitt, who was received with much applause, expressed his thanks for the ©olxll ail reception accorded him. He had 'been told that he had taken on a big job, and seeing the staff assembled before him. be thought that he had. F'rom what lie had .seen so far of the staff Ji© thought, however, that they would work together harmonionsly. The .staff had worked well together for sometime for the benefit of the isooiety, and he siaw no reason for it 9 not continuing to do so. For himself he intended to deal fairly with the staff. He intended to go round and visit them all and become acquainted individually, and he would ask that each one ishouild make the business a personal interest. He wouild expect the staff to ipulll together and co-oper-ate in every way, and if this were loyally carried out he 'had no fear that the society would not advance and become an ©veil, more important institution than in the past-. The directors might make some exchanges, but this would not be done vindictively. It often happened that a man was rot as well suited in the position he held and would do niuioh better in another, and this would be taken into consideration. He, asked -the staff to come frankly to 'him with any matters that gave them concern and promised a considerate hearing. If all puffed together in the way lie hoped for he thought the shareholders might be able to get i.suunieithing .they had not had lor soime time. (Loud applause.) Ile concluded by expressing hits consciousness of the great honour the directors had done him in the appointment and arranging the gatliering to welcome him. Mr. Trotter expressed bus thanks for the kind remarks made .regarding himself anil the reception accorded him. He had not much to .say ; it was deeds they were looking for. The success of the society depended .Largely, if not entirely, upon the staff, and it was only by co-operation they could succeed. The strength of a chain was in the weakest link, and it was only by co-operation of the whole staff, from the office boy upward, that the society could attain the position aimed at. At present he .saw :a weakness in the lack of full co-ape ration between the various departments, and ho urged that every chance to do .something for the society should be made the most of, there should not be any hanging back. For himself be appreciated the confidence placed in him, and he also wished to thank the members of the stock department foir their ~support and loyia'lity to himself, especially since the death of Mr.’ Hobbs. Mr. J. E. Palmer (Waveiiev), a director of the society, spoke briefly in regard to the 'appointment© made, and supported the remarks in regard to cooperation. As to tfie position of the society, it was now in a better position than for a- long time, and he left sure that there were better times ahead.

Mr. W. G. Belton (Waverley), another director, expressed (the opinion that .such a ‘gathering aw the present augured, well for isucoews. The staff was so widespread, that such gatherings in themselves could not fail to bir.ing resulltis through the individual members meeting and beuouiiing better acquainted. He congratulated Air. I’Hotter on hi-s promotion . and appreukbted Iris reminirivS regarding co-opera-tion, remurki ng .in.c-identailly that in Mr. J. G. N.iehol they Iliad a model 0.l 00-Aopeiraltuon with the other members of the .staff. Co-operation was not to be confined to the staff to bring success. There must be co-operation with and by the sliareliJcders. The confidence of the shareholders must be gained by the .sibaii. W.Ltli such a state of atliaiirs the society nruwt progress. Few realised -the pustsibi litre,s of the society. In eleven years a. great deal had been done and, having regard to the fact that practically hall tlf-C 1 fairm-ms. stitrtod \v»i'kH fi ivunciiUiL 1111ssiwtance from some' such institution as the society, it was easily .seen what could be done with full co-operation ot all oocnerned with the -society. It was a fact that at .the present time the society had LIDO.IMK) ol : loans on its 1 nooks, which was testimony of the work i.t was dJiniirg. in co-ncliusioii, Art. Belton re erred briefly to several of the departments in appreciation of /the loyal support of the respective staffs. Air Batwson,' Bank of Auisitrahiisiia, and Mr. F. C. Spraitit aiko made .short and -appropriate. speeches, and Air. t>. H. Buckeridge, as the organiser of the society, iailwo spoke in reference to the growth of the society. The chairman thanked ,those who had aisisiislted in entertaining the gatheining, the caterers, the Press, and Messrs. Nichol and Clarke, who had charge of the arrangement-) of the evening. Mr. Hewitt, on. behalf of the company assembled, thanked the ehaaxnuan

and directors for the splendid evening, and suggested that) similar gatherings should be held at least once a year. The thanks expressed were endorsed with musical honours. During- the evening musical monologues were given by Miss Bkdahl and Air. Ralph Vivian, and -songs by Air. E. J. Turner (Waveiriey) and the Hawent Male Choir Quartette (Alessrs. J. C. Smith, AV. G. Strange, Alorris . • and G. H. ■ Buckeridge). Air J. Nichol---son was the accompanist.