KAITAIA DAIRY COMPANY

Northland Age, Volume II, Issue 34, 27 August 1930, Page 4

KAITAIA DAIRY COMPANY

(Concluded) The Chairman appeared to be of a similar opinion, but, when he offered to wave the matter aside, he was pulled up by Mr. C. B. Michie who entered a strong protest against the Chairman’s action.

Mr. Michie: “Mr. W. Parker has made a statement which casts a reflection on our chief of staff, and I demand that the proper procedure be followed and he be made withdraw his remarks.”

The Chairman proceeded to fulfil his duties, when he was interrupted by Mr. W. Parker who said he would withdraw his remark regarding a faked balance sheet.

The storm having considerably abated, it befell the lot of the secretary to calm the crew as it were.{ His explanation was brief and to the point, he pointed out that where the error occurred was that Mr. W, Parker quoted from figures calculated on a butterfat basis, whereas the Chairman’s figures were based on the yield of butter. Mr. Sturmfels was the next speaker who contributed to the spirit of the meeting ; his address was of considerable length and it was clearly seen that he was availing himself of the Chairman’s apparent patience; however the Chairman eventually became disturbed and he reminded the speaker that there was a limit of five minutes for each speaker. Mr. Sturmfels’ troubles seemed to be centred in butter boxes, and he made a strong appeal in favour of the Saranac box. As is already stated his address was long, but when his remarks were condensed it appeared that his main arguments in favour of these boxes were that they were quickly assembled, and saved the money that was spent in nails used in other boxes.

Mr. McCarthy was called upcn to give his experience of the Saranac box, and he stated they were unsatistactory. This too, was the opinion, he said, of British importers. They caused considerable damage to the conveyor at the factory, and could, from his own experience, be assembled no quicker than could the solid box. He pointed out that the nails were not hand driven, but were put in by machinery.

Mr. Sturmfels disagreed with Mr. McCarthy as to the assembling, suggesting that he get someone to show him how to assemble them.

Mr. Michie suggested that considerable time was being wasted on what appeared to be street talk, but Mr. Sturmfels protested saying his information was the opinion of an experienced factory manager.

The matter was finally dropped and Mr. Holder held the floor for a brief time. He enquired what percentage ot our butter the Homeland imported and on being informed 100% he suggested that it was only a fair thing to Britain that the Company should favour the use of British separators. The question of the directors’ honoraria occupied a considerable time and many suggestions were voiced. The Chairman pointed out that a remuneration of 15/- a day was merely the wage ot an unskilled labourer, who fortunately had none of the directors’ worries and responsibilities, but of this allowance they had to furnish funds with which to purchase benzine for running their own cars. Mr. Sturmfels at this point, en-

quired if they had decided to follow the example of the members of Parliament by voting themselves an increase in salary. Mr. Grigg proposed that the chairman’s honorarium be increased to £75 per annum After a further discussion, it was decided that the honoraria of the directors be increased from 15/- to a pound a day and the chairman’s honorarium to be £75 per year. The services of Mr. W. H. Atkins as auditor were retained for the ensuing season at a lee ot thirty guineas.

The directors’ proposal to increase the Company’s capital to £40,000 was discussed at length, Mr. W. t Parker suggesting that in the event of an opposition company coming in, the extra capital may not be required.

Mr. H. B. Matthews suggested that a round table conference be held with the Oruru directors before arriving at a decision, The increase was unanimously voted.

The report and balance sheet being accepted, Mr. O. Fisher made a commendable appeal for the three following motions : (1) “That nominations for ihe position of directors close at 5 p.m. on the seventh day after the ordinary general meeting.” (2) “That the directors retire by dotation in the following manner: At the next ordinary general meeting to be held three directors should retire, the three directors to retire to be determined by lot; at the next following ordinary general meeting four directors shall retire. Thereafter each director shall hold office tor two years.”

(3) “That no voting paper shall be informal it the number of candidates whose names are left uncancelled is less than the number of vacancies to be filled.” The first two were lost on voices. The third was tested in similar manner, but owing to the lion like roar of one member of the meeting, it was decided to take the vote by the showing of hands. This resulted in an even vote of 22. The motion was lost on the casting vote of the Chairman. The meeting at this point was beginning to break up and Mr. C. B. Michie in an address concerning the urgent need for new dairy* offices, was given anything but a sporting chance to state a case, which should have concerned any supplier who had the slightest interest in the progress of the company.

A similar welcome greeted Mr. W. Grounds, but undaunted, he delivered his address which clearly indicated that he is an orator of no mean standing. The meeting closed at 5.30 p.m.