DAIRY ZONING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 24 June 1937, Page 11

DAIRY ZONING

CONCERN OP SUPPLIERS REPRESENTATION QUESTION Concern at the possibility of their failing to receive fully democratic representation in the management of the factories to which they supply has been voiced by farmers affected by the application of the zoning system throughout the dairying industry of the Dominion. Suppliers have asked for power to vote in the election of directors for the ensuing year, but it is stated that this privilege can receive legal backing only by amendment to the Companies Act However, it has been explained by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, that if farmers obtain shares in their new companies before the date of the annual meetings, they,; will be enfranchised. Replying to representations made by; the Auckland provincial conference of j the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, the Minister, in a letter received by the secretary, Mr A. E. Robinson, said that steps had been taken to ensure that zonal suppliers would suffer no injustice. In two cases involving the transfer of suppliers the directorates of the companies concerned readily agreed to ' offer the farmers representation. “I have given an undertaking,” Mr I Lee Martin added, “that any case of; unfair treatment reported to me would ; be immediately investigated with a; view to ensuring that suppliers joining • a new company have the same rights; and are afforded the same privileges’ as all other suppliers.” j