THE N.Z. FLOURMILLERS' ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12935, 30 March 1904, Page 5

THE N.Z. FLOURMILLERS' ASSOCIATION.

THE ANNUAL MEETING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) '' CimtSTCHUKCIT, March 29. The New Zealand. Flourmillers' Association h?.s net ahvayj worked very sr.ioorlilj', owing to the many conflicting interests and the great difficulty of drawing up an agreement to which the (ratio ns a whole could subscribe. Since tho expiration of the old agreement strenuous efforts have been uiado to induce a number of southern milling concerns to fall into line, and a few weeks ago a conference was held, iargely attended hy northern and soul-horn men from AVanganui to tho Bluff. Tho new agreement- was warmly debated, and, with several mollifications laid amendments on the ouo previously in force, was practically agreed to, and oventuully signed, it. is understood, by all but three considerable linns. A further alteration, it is stated, was thou nwdo to meet the wishes of Mr Evans (of Timaru), and ho joined hands, the only two worth considering to remain outside the fold being Messrs Jackson (of Timaru) and Steven and Co. (of Dunc<lin). To-day a largely-attended mooting of the association was hold at the Employers' Association's Rooms to consider tho position, which (according to Truth to-night) had resolved itself into this: That either the gentlemen standing out join tho association or tho association voluntarily liquidates and dissolves. Tho discussion" on the question was warm, it l»oin£ pointed out that if tho association did dissolve, then tho old cut-ting would at- ence recommence, and it would 1 w war to knifo until tho trade in the various centres took "u steadier" and rounded itself up into local associations under their own agreements. To specially suit tho requirements of tho Canterbury, Otago, Southland, and Wellington trade, each would, howevor, be independent, and at liberty to invade each other's territory. The great stumblingblocl; to 0110 of tho principal holders-out signing tho agreement was alleged to be that ho was under a- previous r.greement to put hi; flour through other hands, anil h<s could not break this agreement, and without him tho southern men would not proceed ou tho present trade protection lines. The secretary (Mr G. Jameson) was seen by a representative o( Troth when the meeting adjourned at 1 o'clock, and was informed tbafc there was no information available. Air Jameson was asked if it was aceurato that Mr Steven (of Dunedin) was unable, owing to contracts previously entered into by him with regard to tho disposal of the output, from his mill, to join tho association, and tha-ti in ronsequenco Mr Jackson |)f Timaru) would not join. Mr Jameson said tho information was " absolutely untrue," and that ho had letters and telegrams from Dunedin to a totally diiferent effect. The officially communicated report of tho meeting is that- Mr T. Meek (chairman of (iiiectors) presided, and that all the members of the association wero present, or represented by uroxy. The annual report (and balance sheet were approved and new directors were appointed. The meeting was unanimous in it's decisions. The points of difference- between the association and tlii! few outside reillers aro very trivial, and will probably ho settled in a few days. At n meeting of flic directors hild subsequently Mr T. Moo-k v;as re-o!eoted chairman of directors. Tho annual meeting opened at 10.45 a.m. and concluded, after an adjournment for luuoh from I p.m. to 2.15 p.m., at 5 p.m. The. report submitted stated l that after providing fcr contingencies, and making provi-

sion for doubtful debts, tho balance at tha credit of tho profit and loss account is £1288 2s Id, which tho directors recommended should ba transferred 1 to A special reserve. Another clauso in tho report was as follower—^"As several millers (who were not members previously) have signified their willingness to join tho association, tho directors havo all decidctl to retire. It will therefore bo necessary to elect an entirely now board." Tho retiring directors were as follows:—Mr Thomas Mock (chairman), and Messrs Allen, Aspinall, Gow, Harraway, Loughnan, aud Wood. Tlio statement of accounts showed tho nominal capital of the association to bo £25,000 in 2500 shares of £10 oacfo, o£ which 670 shares havo liot been allotted. The paid-up capital amounts to £5490. Tha profit anil loss account shows that after making a special provision of £1000, lot bad debts the profit on the year's working is £1288 3s, tlio commission earned amounting to £18,103 5s 7d. Tho crodit balanoor at tho end 1 of tho previous year ivas £525 Is 7d. The agreement, which had been forwarded to all tho millers for signaturo, is a lragthy ono of some 29 clauses. It is for a term of five years, and' for further periods of five years at expiry. Three months' notice before tho expiry of any five years' term being necessary to determine tho agreement. Following are some of the principal previsions of the agreement:—At tlio end of cach calendar mouth tlio general manager of tlio association shall canso an adjustment lo 1» mtido of the flour sunplied 1 l>y all tho mill-owners for consumption in New| Zealand, and the proper pro]x>rtionate quantity allotted to each mill-owner. Any milt which l;as not received its proper quota (according to its registered- and tested capacity) shall receive compensation from tho association for sue!) shortage. Tho amount of compensation to he ascertained by calculating as nearly as po-siblo the gross profit per ton on flour during tho month, and! deducting tlio ccst of manufacture, which shall include workmen's wages, coal, oil, and sacks for flour, but not the use of machinery or interest or capital. Such cost is fixed ut 17:; fed per ton of 48 bushels o£ wh-rat. All mill-owners who aro oversold shall pay to (he association compensation on the above bask Any mill which wilfully refuses to deliver flour to the ordor of tho association, the association shall purchase from another mill the Hour required,' and (he defaulting mill shall pay any loss incurred, aud the orders be reckoned ill its oulput. Tho general manager, with the consent of tho majority of.tlio directors, i-liall from time to time fix tho price ol (lour in cnch town or district aftor taking into consideration the cost of wheat and other matters, so that tho price: payabla to each "mill-owner shall bo on' an cquitabla basis. After giving each mill its proportion of the local trade, the balance of tlio Hour to ho sold for shipment, provided also that the current rale for tho city of Dunetlin and suburbs shall not cxcoed tho sum of Ifti per lon beyond the current rate fixed' for shipment, at tho poTts of Lyttel--ton, Timaru, Oa.naru, or Dtuiedin.. No Hour shall be sold, gristed, supplied, or delivered by any associated mill for .eonsumption within the colony to any porson or corporation other than tho association: this lo apply to all flour, whether imported into or manufactured by tho as«oeiation. This latter nrovir-ion to be enforced by a penalty of £25 per cent, on the value of flour irregularly supplied, the money to ba recovc-ralilo out of the funds held by tho association on the mill-owner's account. Provision is mado for the sain of -inferior flour at le=s than tlifc current rate. In the case ot mills who by reason of their articles of association are precluded from taking up their quota of share 3 it is provided that on exeoution of the agreement, an equivalent denosit bo liaid by sucli firms. The penalty for a breach of the agreement is not less than £1 and not mora than £100. It is alcn provided that at any time deemed expedient. cny port, town, or district may be declared a free i>wt, and also that tho starting of a free mill in any district will suspend tho agreement so far as that district is concerned. Tt is understood tbot Mr Stevens, of Dunediu, was to bc-eomo a director, and consented if tho agreement iva? modified in some rospect?. "Whether his request ivas agreed' to is not known here.