PUKEKOHE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8632, 30 July 1891, Page 6

PUKEKOHE.

MEETING OF MILK-SUPPLIERS. \i Immediately after Mr. Buckland's sale on Monday last a meeting of milk-suppliers was held in the Masonic Hall, the business being to consider the price of milk to be supplied to the New Zealand, Dairy Association Creamery during the , coming season. There was a fair representative meeting of suppliers. Numbers of those present were from iiluuku, Puni, and Tuakau, as well as from Pu kekohe. I may inform your numerous readers the reason there were so many present from outside districts was that, as suppliers,' they» have an _ interest, and are anxious to know what price' per gallon the Pukekohe suppliers are prepared to supply milk at during the coming season, as from Pukekohe the others are prepared to take their cue. ' Mr. Wilkinson was called to the chair, and in a few well-chosen remarks, laid the business before the meeting. I may also state at this stage that Messrs. Bycroft, Spragg, and Morrison were also present. On the chairman resuming his seat one of the suppliers present addressed the meeting, and, in a very roundabout way, spoke of a grievance or two lie should like to lay before the meeting. For some time his remarks were fairly intelligible, , but in a short time his remarks became incoherent. After he ■ retired Mr. Spragg addressed the meeting, saying he would advise them not to make any hard and fast rules as to price, that although the 'price paid for milk the past season was a low one, yet he could not lipid out any hopes (from recent advices from England) that his company would be! able to pay, an, increased price. This information, in face of the good prices obtained* by the company for their last season's butter, was a staggerer to the meeting. This brought Mr. J. H. Wright to his feet, and lin a few telling remarks soon had : the meet-' ing with him. In addressing himself to the representatives of the Association, he told these gentlemen that they must know that per gallon for milk showing 10, per cent, ot cream, and 10.25 lb to the gallon, was not a fair price,, and that after 30 years experience as a dairy farmer he had no hesitation in saying that no farmer could produce milk at the' above* price and pay his way; therefore, if such Was the case, and the Association could not make an advance, it would be much better to again i put their hand into their pockets, ana run a creamery on cooperative principles; and if they were not prepared to do that, invite Mr. Reynolds to the district, and so have opposition instead of a monopoly. ' Mr. ■: Wright went; on to, say that he considered the Association should be in a position to give a price a3 follows 2|d per gallon for the first four months ending 31st December, and 3d per gallon for another four months ending 30th April; fresh arrangements to be made for the four winter months. This proposal, no doubt, met with the approval of the meeting, if one may, judge by the frequent applause, 1 Mr. Spragg, finding that the foregoing proposal seemed to meet the views of the whole meeting, promised to lay the same before his directors, and give his answer to the chairman at 'an' early date. This was all the business,: the meeting breaking up very abruptly. I may say. for my own part, I hope a favourable reply will be received, as an extra farthing per gallon will go a long way to pay the expenses on the wear and tear of running the milk to the creamery, especially those located like myself over three miles from the creamery. As soon as word is received from the Association, I will let your numerous country readers and others know the result, this being a. matter of the greatest importance to this and other districts.[Own Correspondent.] ."