MARKETING OF PRODUCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20601, 27 June 1930, Page 9

MARKETING OF PRODUCE.

CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION. •A SUCCESSFUL YEAR. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Thursday. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Producers' Co-operative Marketing Association, Limited, was held last evening, tho chairman, Mr. E. Harding, presiding. The report stated that thft amount of produce handled by the association during the season 1928-29 was 120,397 boxes of butter and 143,860 crates of cheese, and also a large quantity of frozen meat, the total value being £1,988,880. This exceeded the value of produce handled during the previous year by £533,454. The directors had decided that after making allowance for a dividend of 5 per cent.'* on all paid-up capital, absorbing £655, the balance should be rebated in cash to consignors in accordance with tho amount of business done with the association. Tho amount available for distribution was £3099, which was allocated to shareholders on a basis of 2s 6d in tile pound, and to non-shareholders at Is 3d in. tho pound of commission charged. In doing this, the directors departed fr6rn their usual practice of allowing only shareholders to participate in the distribution of rebates, and they believed that their action would meet with general approval. This now mado the total amount rebated to consigning factories during tho past nine years £23,623. The report and balance-sheet wero adopted. In his address, tho chairman said the year's operations were tlijc most successful the company had experienced since its inception ten years ago. Tho total turnover had now reached tho £2,000,000 mark. Tho costs to London had again shown that tho company was saving the industry a great amount of money. Were it not for tho association ho believod the industry generally would bo paying considerably more in London costs. Prospects for the coining year were very good as far as tho association was concerned. When it was realised how many co-opera-tive concerns had gono into liquidation, it would bo realised how loyal tho company's shareholders had been. Tho meat department had had a very successful year. Pork had commanded good prices and a good export turnover had resulted. Tho retiring directors, Messrs, H. D Forsyth (Taranaki), T. Moss (Wellington), W Bryant (Otago), and J. Smith (Southland), were re-elected. Replying to a question whether there had been any proposal for joint marketing since there were two big organisations operating, the chairman stated that a conference had been held with Amalgamated Dairies, Limited, regarding a certain proposal, but the matter had not yet been finalised. The directors of the association would be meeting to-morrow to considor tho proposal.