Otamatea Dairy Year

Northern Advocate, 21 July 1939, Page 8

Otamatea Dairy Year

[Special to “Northern Advocate ” 3 MAUNGATUROTO, This Day.

Improved grading and facilities at the factory' counter-balanced a drop of 60 tons in output from the Maungaturoto Dairy Company, it was stated at the well-attended .annual meeting of suppliers held on Wednesday. The year had been marked by harmony and efficiency said the chairman, Mr D. A, Finlayson. The quality of cream had definitely improved, the factory, with its grade of 94.761 having secured second place for the Weddel Cup. Electrification of the factory was working smoothly and satisfactorily although it was too early to decide whether economy had resulted. A slight saving was expected, however.

Renovation of the offices were a great credit to the contractor, Mr M. C. W. Parsons. This work, together with the painting of the building, had been dons from a reserve fund, built up from profits from the company’s motor garage, and had not been any charge against suppliers’ returns. A show room for electrical equipment had been added.

Interest Charges Up. An increase in interest charges, Mr Finlayson explained, was due to the fact that the butter had to remain for considerable periods in store, and the Government did not pay on it until it was on ship. At one period there was £50,000 worth in storage, hence the directors had to finance to give suppliers their monthly cheques. Mr Finlayson stressed the fact that in the balance-sheet all assets had been estimated below their market value, and economy and care had been exercised in management. The average payout over .all grades was 16.091 d. He paid a high tribute to the splendid work of the factory and office staff, and to his fellow directors on the board.

Referring to the British market, Mr Finlayson considered that the import restrictions, if persisted in, would seriously affect sales in Britain. New Zealand’s credit did not stand as high as it did. Grave reactions might occur regarding our produce.

New Auditor. Mr F. L. Gunn, auditor for 14 years, retired through illhealth. The voting on nominations for a successor resulted as follows.—Pinker and Boyd 56, R. A. Whitmore 35. The former were appointed. With a view to combating stock diseases it was announced that the company had secured, for distribution to suppliers, 300 veterinary pamphlets, which contain much practical advice. Suppliers were also asked to order their fertilisers in December and January, to avoid the congestion and shortage of railway trucks in the

autumn. Payment will be deferred till March. 1 Motor Department’s Profit. In answer to ,a question on the small gross profit earned by the motor department, the secretary said that low profits were arranged to give the suppliers the benefit of co-operative working and allowance had also to be made for' “trade ins” which were risky. Mr S. Petrie advocated the use of the motor department’s reserve to establish a pig farm in connection with the factory, utilising the buttermilk for feed.

Mr Hellyn combated the suggestion, considering that the need was more urgent for enlargement of the garage to accommodate cars awaiting repairs. No resolution was tabled. Over-run. A question by Mr ■ Balderston (Kaiwaka) as to the amount of the overrun at the factory (22 per cent) was replied to by the manager (Mr Halligan), who explained that the over-run was, subject to variation and could not be controlled. The work was done as it should be done, and every care was taken. Appreciated Helpers. Tributes were paid by the secretary, Mr A. B. Cox, to Mr Fergus who had given seven years’ faithful service to the suppliers, and was now secretary of the Ashburton Dairy Company, and also to Mr Murray Smith, his present assistant, who was a first-class man.