THE MILK QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9774, 22 March 1895, Page 6

THE MILK QUESTION.

Hamilton, Thursday. A foli.t-attendkd meeting of the milk suppliers to the Hamilton milk factory met last night, at the house of Mr. Bavidge, of Sunnyaide, to discuss what arrangement should be come to with the directors of Messrs. Reynolds and Co., at to-day's meeting. Sixteen suppliers were present. On the motion of Mr. Trubshaw, seconded by Mr. John Murphy, it was agreed " That the company's proposal in its present form be rejected." This was carried, a few not voting, being anxious to have the company's side sf the question before them before deciding one way or the other. . :• There were some thirty milk-suppliers present at the meeting at the Hamilton factory this morning, Captain James Runciman in the chair. Messrs. R. Reynolds and Farley were present. The first thing done was the signing, by the authorisation of the meeting, by the chairman, of the petition to the Government for certain facilities to the industry. Messrs. Reynolds and Farley entered into similar explanations afforded to other meetings. After an hour-and-half's discussion, it was proposed by Mr.' Trubshaw, and seconded by Mr. Murphy," That the proposal of the cornpany in its present form be rejected." The motion was put and lost, eight voting f<y it, and sixteen against it; a few did not vote either way. Those accepting the proposal then signed the agreement.

WhatawhatAj Thursday. At the meeting of milk suppliers, at which Messrs. Reynolds and Co. were represented, the following resolution, proposed by Mr. W. W. Higginson, and seconded by Mr. Calder, was carried:—" That this meeting is of opinion that, in order to successfully compete in the European butter market, it has become imperative that the expenses of the management of the butter factory system be reduced, if possible, by one-half, or thereabouts, or, to something within a reasonable approach to the cost of the management of the Danish system of butter manufactories, and the milk suppliers to Messrs. Reynolds and Co.'s creameries will then cooperate, and meet them in any reasonable reduction of the future price of milk." The suppliers present were then asked to sign the new agreement, but declined to do so. Mr. T. C. Blackett then proposed, "That Messrs. Reynolds and Co. s terms be accepted," but the motion lapsed, for want of a seconder. As a way out of the difficulty, Mr. Livingstone proposed to those present to sign an agreement, accepting 2d per gallon (a reduction of Jd per gallon) for the months of March and April. This was signed by most of the suppliers, and has been forwarded by Mr. R Reynolds, for acceptance or otherwise by the firms in Auckland.