SOUTH TARANAKI DAIRYING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 21 August 1926, Page 3

SOUTH TARANAKI DAIRYING.

MANUTAHI COMPANY. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. Ten shareholders' of the Manutahi Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd., were in attendance at the seventeenth annual general meeting held at the factory yesterday. Mr. S. C. Tonks, chairman of directors, presided. “I can congratulate shareholders on the conclusion of a successful season, although it has possibly been one of the most difficult and anxious which the directors have ever experienced,” said the chairman in moving the adoption of the seventeenth annual report (previously published) and balancesheet. ‘‘During the early part of the year,” continued Mr. Tonks, ‘‘London houses bought cheese very heavily. More cheese was purchased last year than during any other in the history of the industry. The directors decided to ship oil open consignment. Shipping, however, was greatly disorganised, the strike in New. Zealand during August throwing arrangements completely out of gear, while the strike in Great Britain during the autumn is still having a far-reaching and disastrous effect. “The Dairy Control Board instituted a, scheme of regulating shipments, though the results are problematical. So far as the company is concerned, the shrinkage was greatly in excess of the previous year, and it is a very moot question whether the shipping arrangements may be regarded as a success. The holding of large stocks of butter and cheese in New Zealand must have an undesirable effect oil the English market. My personal opinion is that the Control Board would have been well advised to have postponed the inauguration of the shipping scheme to a more opportune time.

Is 7ld PAYMENT EXPECTED. “Despite the difficulties encountered, the pay-out of the company will compare very favourably with those of other companies in the district. To date, Is 6d lias been advanced, and we have a further 513 crates of cheese on the water. For the purpose of the

balance-sheet these have been taken in at 76s 6d, and if tin's is realised another lid will be available, bringing the total pay-out up to Is 7Jd.” Mr. Tonks also brought under the notice of shareholders the good work carried out at the dairy laboratory at Hawera. “We have had much difficulty with the quality of the milk •supplied to the factory,” he said, “but with the able assistance of Mr. Yeale 1 think we have got to the root of the trouble. The companies connected witli the laboratory, of which ours is one, are very fortunate in having secured the .services of such an able and keen scientist to assist in dealing with the many problems affecting the welfare of the industry. “From the defeat of the amendment to the Dairy Control Act, proposing that the assumption of absolute control be deferred for twelve months, it appears practically certain that the full measure will be brought into force on September 1. While it may he rightly contended that it is a very difficult matter to completely revolutionise a business with a turnover of approximately 20 millions sterling, it is up to all dairymen, irrespective of private opinion, to pull together and endeavour to make the scheme as successful as possible to the industry.” The chairman reviewed the balancesheet, and, during a discussion concerning labour and fuel costs, showed that tliese and the company’s total charges to f.o.b. would compare favourably with all neighbouring companies. He formally moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mr. D. Wills seconded. The' motion was carried without discussion. OFFICERS. Messrs S. C. Tonks and S. E. MacDonald were elected unopposed to fill the vacancies caused on the board oi directors through, the retirement, by the effluxion of time, of the two named. Mr. A. Wills was elected to fill the extraordinary vacancy caused by the death of Mr. H. Hamilton. At a subsequent meeting of directors Mr. 'Tonks was re-elected chairman, Mr. J. D. G. Thomson was reappointed audit-Or at an increased remuneration. The chairman’s honorarium and directors’ fees were fixed on the same scale, as previously. A vote of thanks was accorded the chairman, directors, and staff in appreciation of their work during the vear. PASTEURISATION. Replying to a. question, the chairman said that the directors had decided to set ui) a sub-committee, to deal with the installation of a pasteuriser. The company was practically forced to instal the system in order to have a chance of securing superfine grade. With the pasteuriser it was expected that practically 90 per cent, of the output would realise the standard. “It is up to every shareholder to send a!on<r pure milk. If good milk is received at the factory the staff will turn out a good article, but it is useless to expect that if the milk is not of the required standard,” said the chairman during the ensuing discussion;

Mr. T. Geary asked if it would not be possible to keep tlie milk of the necessary standard without pasteurisation, which lie understood would cost about 10s per ton.

Tlie chairman replied that at present it seemed that (he process was necessary it tlie superfine grade was to he attained. It was very difficult to decide whether pasteurised cheese would be the class most demanded by consumers. From present indications, however, the difference in price to he paid for superfine would mean about £9UU to the company if the total output was so graded. A short discussion took place concerning the proposed co-operation of the company with others in the district in .the appointment of a dairy inspector, but no action was taken.