BOARD MEMBER RETIRES

Patea Mail, Volume XLIX, 30 March 1927, Page 3

BOARD MEMBER RETIRES

NOT WANTED AT A MEETING. MR. J. E. CORRIGAN LEAVES ROOM OPPOSITION TO DAIRY CONTROL. On Monday hut (say 6 the “Nows”) an unusual incident happened at a meeting of shareholders in the Ngaere Co-operative Dairy Company, when Mr. J. R. Corrigan, a member of the Dairy Control Board, who was present by invitation of the chairman (Mr. H. C. Taylor), retired from the meeting to save a vote being taken as to whether he should remain or depart. Mr. Taylor announced that the meeting was failed by the special request of. some of the shareholders to discuss the advisability of sending a representative’ to the conference called by Air. A. J. Sinclair at Palmerston. By invitation, Air. Corrigan was present and was : prepared to answer aiiy questions put by the meeting. Air. J. H. Thomas asked by whose invitation Air. Corrigan was present. The chairman: By my invitation, following the suggestion of some of the shareholders. Air. Thomas: Then I will move that Air. Corrigan be asked to retire. This meeting was called in order to allow shareholders to have a free discussion on the affairs of the Dairy Control Board. Air. Thomas said he meant no discourtesy to Air. Corrigan but thought his presence would act as a deterrent to full discussion and might embarrass speakers. Air. Teeofsky seconded the motion. Air. Corrigan said no resolution was necessary for him to leave the room, but he pointed out that as the meeting was called to discuss affairs connected with dairying ho deemed it his duty tcattend so as to give any information and answer any questions the meeting might desire. He did not in any way wish to gag the meeting and, in fact, had come to Ngaere at some considerable inconvenience to himself. Air. Thomas said he did not think loi One moment that Air. Corrigan had “pushed himself into the meeting,’ but pointed out that his invitation had not come from a majority of the share holders. The chairman did not think Air. Corrigan’s presence would influence tlu meeting, more especially as the con troversy seemed to bo going to be very bitter during the next few months and they wanted all the information they could get on the matter. Air. W. Wickham asked if Air. Thomas would withdraw his motion. Air. Thomas: Alost certainly not. Air. Wickham: Well, I want to move an amendment that Mr. Corrigan ro main. Air. Thomas (to the chairman): That is a direct negative. You can’t accept it. Air. Corrigan: I am not going to let you put that resolution because I am going to retire. Continuing, he said he had just returned from a_fortnight’s visit to the East Coast, and it was news to him that these meetings were being held. Personally he had no desire to cause any feeling, but, speaking as a dairy farmer, he drew attention to the fact that he was vitally interested in the welfare of the industry and at all times endeavoured to art in the best interests of the industry. • ' Air. Thomas explained that he would be very glad to hear Air. Corrigan speak on dairy topics at any time ho cared to deliver an address called for the purpose. Air, Corrigan: No fear! I have been insulted once. Air. Corrigan then retired, but returned to issue an invitation to a meeting to be called on April 4by the Federation of South Taranaki Dairy Companies, when the affairs of the Control Board would be discussed. Subsequently, the motion was carried in order to gain, the real feeling of the meeting. Nineteen voted for Air. Corrigan’s retirement and 14 for his remaining.