Whakarongo Dairy Company’s Annual Meeting

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7239, 19 August 1933, Page 3

Whakarongo Dairy Company’s Annual Meeting

CHAIRMAN REVIEWS THE YEAR

Mr M. E. Knudscn, chairman of directors, presided over the 20th annual general meeting of the Whakarongo Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd., bn Thursday evening. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet (already published), the chairman commented that he hoped they would never again sefc the low price levels experienced during the year, and seeing that the values of other commodities had appreciated there was reason to hope that butter prices would follow suit. Some 47 tons of butter had been sold on an f.o.b. basis, and the company had participated in the organisation of local marketing, with the result that the development of a Dominion system was likely. There was not tho slightest intention of exploiting the public, but merely to secure full co-operation among factories. The butter patting trade was dc\c loping, but would take year a proportion of the company s butter had been dealt with in this manner, and a good premium had been secured. The future for casein looked better and a definite advance o± Id per lb was promised for the first thiee months of the season. The apportionment of the cost of precipitating casern had been checked on the basis of cur and tonnage and it had _ been found that it was perfectly equitable.. in. operation of the new grading regulations had given the directors a greadeal of concern, and it was hoped that the system of differential payments would not inflict hardship on any supplier, the chairman added. However, competition had to be met and quality maintained, though it was unfortunate that the regulations should be enforced at a time when it was difficult to finance improvements for cooling, etc. It was to be regretted that friction had arisen between the scientific side and the department. Discussing the factory water supply, the chairman said the well had been cleaned out and an increased flow obtained. The factory building had been renovated by the staff at. a very small cost. Instead of the former steam draught, a forced fan draught, which bad cost very little to instal, was being used in the furnace. The plant generally had been maintained m good order and very little expense had been incurred. The interest bill had been reduced and the secretary had voluntarily signified that he would accept a reduction of 0 per cent, in his salary during the coming year. Travelling expenses had been kept at a minimum. The chairman added that he had been over-gcnerously voted an honorarium of £IOO. but had considered it too much and reduced it to £7o. There was the possibility that the company would be without the services of a farm dairy instructor in a few months’ time, as although it favoured the work, other factories were withdrawing from the block and making it too expensive to continue. Concluding, the chairman thanked the secretary, the directors and the factory staff for their work. , , The motion for the adoption of t..e report was seconded by Mr Burr an carried. „ . , Replying to Mr T M Smith the chairman stated that the item of £lB- - factory repairs compared with—for the previous year. It was reported that the cost ot manufacture at the factory was .99* per lb butter, and the total to f.o.b. was 1.9 d. . The remuneration of the chairman and the directors was fixed on the same basis as previously, on the motion of Mr Burr

A resolution of confidence passed. on the motion of Mr A. E. Sly, in the services of the chairman, to whose work tributes were paid. . The auditor’s report commended t-.e excellent, and methodical system of book-keeping followed by tho secretary (Mr E. B. Jennings). _ Mr A. T. Bendall was re-appointed

auditor. The retiring directors were Messrs F. S. Mcßae and T. Ranford, the former of whom offered himself for reelection. Tho latter, for business reasons, did not seek re-appointmenfc. Mr Ranford had served as a director for 14 years, during 11 of which he had been chairman, and Mr Knudsen eulogised his good work. Thcro were three candidates for election to -the directorate, Messrs Mcßae and E. Rout being elected.