TE AROHA INTERESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20116, 29 November 1928, Page 17

TE AROHA INTERESTS.

THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR. DAIRY COMPANY'S PROGRESS. [by TEtEGUAriT. —own correspondent.] TE AROHA, Wednesday. The Te Aroha Chamber of Commerce has concluded another successful year, in the course of which it has accomplished much for the prosperous Thames Valley tourist centre. In an unusually busy period the chamber has secured improved mail and train services, the declaration of No. 1 Road as a main highway, an extension of the fire insurance area, the installation of community lighting and the inclusion of Waito# and Wftihon in the Thames postal district. The chamber this year was rewarded fur long and patient efforts by the provision by the Department of Tourist Resorts of public swimming baths in the mineral springs area. It is over seven years since the project was first put to the department. At the annual meeting of members thanks were expressed to Mr. C. E. Mcmillan, M.P., and Messrs. Noakes (postmaster), Goonan (stationmaster) and Christensen (Tourist Department), for valued assistance and co-operation at all times. A special word of thanks and appreciation was accorded the honorary secretary of tho chamber, Mr. J. Cochrane, who was largely responsible for the success of the year's work. Mention was also made of successful co-operation with the Borough Council in arranging for a page advertisement for To Aroha in the Christmas number of tho Auckland Weekly News. "This is the first time," said the president, Mr. A. D. Wallace, "that we have accomplished such desirable publicity which will bring Te Aroha to the immediate notice of 100,000 worldwide homes."

Tlio following officers were elected: — President, Mr. L. Mackie; vice-president, Mr. A. D. Jones; executive, Messrs. J. Cochrane. Fitzpatrick, Rayner, Gills, Coulter, Barlow, Long, Rivett, Wallace, Johnson, Board, Flatt; auditor, Mr. 11. E. D. Wilcox; secretary, Mr. J. Cochranp (pro tern).

Interesting details of the rapid progress of the Te Aroha Dairy Company were given at the company's annual dinner to suppliers. The managing director, Mr. F. S. Board, said the company commenced operations five years ago with 151 suppliers and an output of 308 tons of butter. Last season's output amounted to 1007 tons from the produco of the cows of 332 suppliers.

A few years ago, said Mr. Board, when referring to payments for butter-fat, dairy companies were frank about payments but now some endeavoured to inflato the payments and show a higher prico than was actually paid. His company talked in terms of cash actually handled by the farmer, which was tho only fair way. The payment of interest on sharo capital should not, for instance, bo charged to the butter account but to the interest account. Soino companies traded extensively with suppliers. The substantial profit made was tacked on to tho price paid farmers for butter-fat. Dealing with finance for farmers Mr. Board said a great many requests had been received fiom suppliers for finance. Ho hoped soon to complete arrangements for using tho intermediate rural credit system. This would relieve the company of the necessity for finding a large amount of outside capital.