WAIANIWA FACTORY

Southland Times, Issue 19346, 11 September 1924, Page 8

WAIANIWA FACTORY

ANNUAL SUPPLIERS’ MEETING INSTRUCTORS’ PROPOSAL REJECTED The annual meeting of the Waianiwa dairy suppliers was held last night, Mr A. F. Kennard presiding over a good attendance. In opening, the Chairman said it was the largest meeting he remembered, and he was pleased to see so many present. The report (already published) and the balance-sheet were taken as read. CHAIRMAN’S REMARKS. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the Chairman first apologised for the absence of Mr J. S. Grieve, who was in Dunedin attending a meeting of the South Island Dairy Association, and could not attend. The report was clear enough, and they knew as well as the directors what was done last season. Since thq, issuing of the report, Wright Stephenson and Co. had sold 300 crates, and the Marketing Association had also been instructed to sell all but 378 crates at a lower figure. On the 378 crates mentioned there was a reserve of 96/per cwt. They had sold the first two months 1 output, about 21 tons, at 8 15-16 d. The average test was not stated, but it worked out at 3.57. It had taken slightly more milk to make a pound of cheese, but ‘hat had been the experience of all factories last year. The boiler had given satisfaction, and its installation had been a success. Mr T. Cartwright seconded the motion.

Mr G. Bennie said many were anxious to know how the new boiler had behaved. The coal bill stood at £207 in the balance-sheet, as against £233 for the previous year. The Chairman: Included in that £207 was a fair amc«nt of suppliers’ coal, The actual coal bill for the season had iieen £lO6 17/8.

Mr Bennie: That’s very good. The new boiler will soon pay for itself. Mr J. Stevenson asked for an explanation of sundry expenses, and was satisfied when told by the Chairman that a detailed statement would be posted to him. Mr J. Stevenson: You show shipments at £5OO. Is that all you got for it? The Chairman: That is only the advance against it. Mr Stevenson: That’s all right. The motion was carried without any further discussion. Messrs A. F. Kennard and W. King, retiring directors, were re-elected unopposed. MARKETING. In returning thanks, Mr King said he would always do his best for himself while a dirWtor, and in doing that he would be doing the best for them. He was a seller every time whenever a good offer was made. Since last directors’ meeting Wright Stephenson and Co. had sold 300 crates at a reduced limit, but the Marketing Association, although having 994 crates on hand, had not sold any. The limit was reduced to 92/-, and while Wright Stephenson and Co. had sold their holding, the Association had failed to sell a single pound. It would appear that the Marketing Association could not handle their cheese. (Hear, hear.)

The Chairman said he was also a seller when a remunerative price was offered. With regard to the Marketing Association, it was their‘own organisation, and he would always favour fiupporting it if it could handle the cheese equally well. They would also get a rebate from the Association, which would help them. The year was exceptional, and although they had lowered their limit, the Association had not sold any cheese. The Association held 994 crates, of which 676 were to be sold at 92/-. He was always willing to sell at a fair price* Mr J. Stevenson: Orawia got 98/- for the whole year, and we, with the best cheese in New Zealand (applause), cannot get that figure. There is something wrong somewhere. The Chairman: So long as the directors accept a figure which was not beaten by much, everything was all right, but if others got a better price it was all wrong. Mr Stevenson: If you get a good offer don’t turn it down. Mr W. King: So far as I can see, every dairy factory director must be a fool. He said that if they sold at 8d and cheese rose to 9d they were called all kinds of asses, and if they did not accept 8d and the market fell, they were asses for not selling. He was prepared to be called a fool for the next three years. Mr Stevenson: That is nothing to what we will call you. (Laughter.) Some ancient sales were brought up again and the policy of past directors criticised. Mr King said they had received two offers this year of B|d. When the offers were discussed one director was absent, and the voting was three to three. 'The sale was held up for 24 hours, and another 3-16 d was obtained. That was only luck. The past 12 months had been the hardest time directors had to face. He admitted they had made a mistake in not selling last year’s November cheese at 9 7-Bd. 'That was the only offer they had refused. The election of auditors resulted in Messrs Hunter and Reid being re-elected. VARIOUS.

Mr T. Cartwright moved that the proposal to appoint dairy instructors be rejected. He said their manager was good enough for them, and suppliers would improve the quality of the milk if told to do so by the manager. There were enough now getting billets from the dairymen. This was seconded by Mr W. King and carried.

The opening date of the factory was left in the hands of the Chairman and manager, with power to act. Mr King said the suppliers had been told all the bad things of the past season, but there were some good points as well. The cost of manufacture had been going up and up for some years, and he was pleased to tell them that the pendulum had commenced to swing in the other direction, and costs were coming down. Their crates were also cheaper, and the saving was about £2 a hundred on these. Votes of thanks to the secretary, Mr R. B. Caws, the directors, and the manager and staff were carried in the usual manner. At the conclusion of the annual meeting the directors met, and Mr A. F. Kennard was re-elected Chairman.