KAIAPOI WOOLLEN CO.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 787, 18 August 1916, Page 3

KAIAPOI WOOLLEN CO.

ANNUAL MEETING. THE CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS. A SATISFACTORY YEAR. The annual meeting of the Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company was heJli this afternoon, the chairman of directors (Mr J. A. Frostick) presiding over a good attendance of shareholders. THE CHAIRMAN'S ADDRBSS. I In formally moving the adoption j of the directors' annual report (which has already been published) | the chairman, Mr J. A. Frostick, said: I "The company's operations for the i year ending June 30 were by far | the largest on record, and from a j financial point of view must be conI sidered satisfactory. The urgency of ! Government requirements for mili- ] lary purposes threatened at one 1 time to absorb practically all the producing power of the machinery, j plant, and labour under our control. ; but all demands made upon us have ■ been fully met, and we believe to the complete satisfaction of the military ! authorities. GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS. "I consider it is imperative in the interest of this company lo makesome reference Jo the statements made before Parliament a few days ago regarding the quality of certain cloths supplied to the Government clothing contractors and also to faulty workmanship in the clothing itself. The hon. the Minister of Munitions has throughout shown uniform courtesy and consideration to mill owners and clothing manufacturers, and consistent with the urgencv of military orders he met every difficulty with kindness and forbearance. But I cannot help saying thai his refusal to publicly name the offending parties has cast an unpleasant reflection upon the whole industry; the public mind is unsettled anil will continue to be disturbed until it pos.sessas complete official information. In the meaniime, in common fairness to the management of the Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company, and also to its many friends and supporters, I am pleased to assure this meeting that this company is in no way involved in the trouble. A PATRIOTIC REFERENCE. "The directors' report indicates certain trading difficulties. These difficulties entirely disappeared when our customers realised that the war situation was serious, and it must be acknowledged that almost without exception, buyers throughout the Dominion showed a magnificent patriotic spirit and cheerfully waited for the goods they needed until military requirements had been satisfied. I am quite conscious that the annual meeting of shareholders is called for business purposes, and that any reference to outside matters is usually out of place, but these are exceptional times. The war has created many hardships, and many additional national burdens, but no allied country is feeling the pinch and privations of war less than New Zealand. We at least are free from the ravages of war. Our country and our homes have been protected—thanks to the bravery of our own sons and of our Allies, and to the mighty navy of the Empire, which has driven the enemy from all the seas. Although we now know that New Zealand was included in the scheme of German conquest, let us thank God that the flag of our beloved Empire floats proudly at the seat of government, indicating its protection against attack, and that it is still the emblem of freedom and liberty, granting to the people the unrestricted right to build their nation according to their own standard, and freedom to make their own laws. I ask you all to consider what must have happened to ihis company had Germany succeeded in her impious designs. This great industry, which has taken nearly 40 years in the building, would in all probability have disappeared, and with it the capital invested. However, this danger is fast passing away, and we, in common with our Allies, and I believe all neutral nations, are now anxiously looking forward to the day when the final and crushing blow shall be struck which shall for ever rid the world of the German military caste, whose deeds of infamy and murder have placed an indelible stain upon a great nation, which will take centuries of clean living to blot out. A FINE RECORD. "Many of New Zealand's best sons have already paid the fullest debt which loyalty and devotion to one's country can exact—and every man a volunteer. This is a glorious record. The Kaiapoi Company has not escaped. Fifty-seven of the company's employees have enlisted. Three have been killed in action, six have been wounded, and six have returned. Many others offered their services to their country, and were bitterly disappointed to find that their physical condition was such that they must be rejected as unfit for foreign military duty. However, these men did the next best thing—came back to their work—and to-day are doing their level best to produce the necessary articles required by their more fortunate fellows. "I have been specially requested to inform shareholders what the directors have done so far by way of contributions since the war started. We have paid £I7BO in wages to employees on active service, the single men being paid one-third of their wages, and the married men twothirds of their ordinary wage with a maximum of £2 weekly. We have contributed a further sum of £1478 to various patriotic funds, and we pay a subsidy of £1 for £1 on all moneys collected by officers and staff or any class of workers for a similar purpose. This is as far as your directors feel they should go, without more definite instructions passed at a general meeting. If any member wishes to move a resolution dealing with this question, the board will carefully consider any recommendation you may think lit to make. COMPANY MATTERS. "The annual meeting is held somewhat later this year. This cannot now be avoided. The expansion of the company's operations means a large increase in the time required for examination and valuations of stock, and future annual meetings will be held as near the 20th day of August as can be arranged. Early in the year il was decided to increase the warehouse accommodation q| Dunedin. The old premises were out of date, dilapidated, and quite

unsuitable for modern requirements. The back portion of the new building is finished and in occupation, and a contract for the completion of the building has been let. "With regard to the future of this company, your directors feel that whilst it is full of promise for great expansion, yet their policy should be 'progress, governed by extreme caution.' The war has created abnormal conditions all through the civi- , lised world. Millions of men have been withdrawn from the channels of industry and production to follow the path of enormous waste and ! destruction. It is very doubtful if j the wisest of men can form any idea I as to what after the war will be conI sidered normal industrial conditions, ! and we in New Zealand should make full preparation for industrial development, so that every man, who, having discharged his military duties may feel that he is welcomed home, antl that full opportunity shall be afforded him lo earn an honourable living by following some productive I occupation. THE WORKING STAFFS. "I should completely fail in the ! discharge of my duty as president of ■ this company if I did not make special reference to the working staff in both mill and factories. Early in the year we asked them all to do their best to help lo equip the boys leaving for the war. I have had some experience in watching industrial operations, and I unhesitatingly say thai I have never seen a belter or more sustained effort, every man and every woman doing his or her very best cheerfully. The several managers have expressed themselves in terms of highest praise. I most sincerely trust thai the same spirit of co-operative effort will always exist between the com- ; pany and its staff. Of course, there will continue to be those points of; difference which the relative posi- ! tions of employer and employed will! always create, but if all thought of; exploitation is eliminated on both I sides, and nothing left but a con- | scious desire to give and to receive ! fair reward, then I can see no reason; why the present excellent relations should ever be disturbed. "In conclusion, I wish to make very special reference to the executive officers, branch managers, and general staff. At no time have greater demands been made upon them. In any large concern such as this the closest attention to detail is nec-i essary, and there has been almost a friendly rivalry between the officers! in attending to the smallest details. I The financial success of this year is in no small degree attributable to this cause. Without their co-opera-; lion success would have been impossible, and it gives me pleasure to express our appreciation as directors, and I am sure I may also include shareholders generally, for the results they have given to us."