MARKETING OF PRODUCE

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1929, Page 12

MARKETING OF PRODUCE

NEW SCHEME EXPLAINED. STRATFORD FARMERS' INTEREST. Keen interest was evinced in the new marketing schema centring round the formation of the proposed Empire Dairies, Ltd., as expounded by Messrs. W. Grounds and W. Goodfellow in the Parish Hall, Stratford, on Saturday. Mr. J. B. Richards, chairman of the Stratford Co-op Dairy Company, was voted, to the chair and presided over an attendance of about 60 directors of dairy companies and interested suppliers. At the conclusion of the address, on the motion of Mr, P. Thomson, a vote of thanks was accorded the speakers and they were given the assurance that the proposition they had enunciated would be given careful consideration by the companies represented. The addresses of Messrs. Gounds and Goodfellow followed closely upon those given in New Plymouth on Friday and reported in the News. Afterwards a number of questions were asked and answered.

Mr. A. Lilley (Stratford) suggested that the period of seven years after which the management of the organisation might be reviewed was too long, but Mr. Grounds assured him that the point 1 ad been carefully considered and tho period was a reasonable and legitimate one. In reply to Mr. M. G. Trotter (East Road) Mr. Goodfellow said the organisation would like to have about SO per cent, of the marketable produce. Already they were assured of large supplies of butter but had little idea of the amount of cheese. Empire Dairies would not hold stocks of produce without first consulting the council. Mr. Trotter: On what system will advances against consignments be made? Mr. Goodfellow: We have adopted the same relative scale as has been the general practice in the past, but with the new scheme credits will be established through selected banks and not by London merchants as hithertofore.

Mr. M. Davis (Midhirst) asked if it was the intention of the company to deal with such matters as shipping and insurance.

'“We would be very .pleased to handle these factors in the marketing of outproduce but we cannot, of course, interfere with the functions of the Control Board,” said Mr. Goodfellow. Mr. P. Thomson (Stratford): That brings us to another point. Is Mr. Grounds here as an official of the Control Board or merely as the director of a company! ( N(r. Grounds: Merely as an individual with the good of the industry at heart. Mr. Thomson: But has he, perhaps, the blessing of tho board in this new scheme ?

Mr. Grounds: I hardly think so. “In the event of any co-op dairy company joining the concern does that prevent them from contracting f.o.b. sales on their own initiative,” asked Mr. Trotter. The reply was in the negative, Mr. Grounds further stating tluG Fmmrd Dairies would bo prepared to advise companies contemplating an f.o.b. or c.i.f. sale.

Mr. Thomson inquired if under the scheme the right of holding produce would be abolished, and was told that any individual company wishing to depart from the regular routine should notify the company and its wishes would be carried out.

Mr. Lilley: Apparently this concern, if successful, will handle large sums of money. Would it not be advisable in the interests of the industry to eliminate the private interests? Mr. Grounds explained that the private interests involved represented capable and efficient management. The company desired this kind of direction to continue. He pointed out that tne compay would be taking over an organisation already developed to a money-mak-ing point. To Mr. Thomson a definite assurance was given that Tooley Street firms were only two keen to be placed on the company’s list. Tn reply to Mr. Rumball (Douglas) Air, Goodfellow gave an outline of the conditions of the industry and tiie feeling towards the company in Australia and Canada.

Air. Davis: Might there not be a certain amount of antagonism in Canada?

Air. Goodfellow said the company would not work with individual factories, but with the producing groups already in existence in Australia and Canada. In that respect these countries were ahead of New Zealand. He went on to give an idea of the exportable amount of produce coming from Canada, and Australia. He thought the only opposition would come' from local agents of purchasing firms. A-lr. T. H. Penn (Stratford) asked if the proposed council would function in an advisory or executive capacity and what would be the voting power. Mr. Grounds: It would function in an advisory capacity and the voting would be one company one vote. In reply to Air. J. Thomas, senior, Air. Goodfellow said he, of course, could not dictate as to the time in which companies might take to consider the proposal, but he would appreciate an early decision. Alessrs. Grounds and Goodfellow addressed about 200 farmers at Hawera on Saturday afternoon, Mr. A. B. Muggeridge, Manutahi, presiding. The speakers outlined their scheme as at other places and at the conclusion of the meeting a vote of thanks was passed to them.

DONOVAN-SMITH FIGHT.

(To tho Editor.)

Sir, —I have to tender an apology to those persons who were unable to secure their reserved seats at the Stratford Town Hall on Saturday evening. The committee provided what they considered more than sufficient accommodation at the ringside. Our judgment, however, was wrong, the crowd that attended being far beyond our greatest estimate and some who took seats they had not reserved, could not be persuaded to give them up. To those who occupied chairs it the body of the hall I also owe an apology, though a reason for their discomfort was not my fault. I gave

instructions that no more tickets were to be sold and that no further persons were to bo admitted to the hall. These instructions were obeyed in front of the house but some unauthorised person afterwards opened the side door and admitted those people, who were responsible for blocking the view of a large number of those occupying chairs. Finally, I had to send a constable to see that my instructions ■were given effect to. I trust that. those who were disappointed with regard to tho seats they reserved, and-those whose view was obstructed by late arrivals admitted against my instructions will accept this apolocy in the same spirit in which it is tendered. (Signed) ’ PHILIP SKOGLUND, Chairman Stratford Sports and Pastime? Club, Stratford, July 20, 1929. DONATIONS TO RELIEF FUND. The secretary of the Stratford' earthquake relief fund committee has received a donation of £75 from Mr. J. Ryan, secretary of the Tangarakau branch of the New Zealand Workers' Union, on behalf of men employed on the railway construction works at Tangarakau. Mr. Ryan hopes to forward a further contribution to the funds. The Stratford and Whangamomona district relief fund has now passed the £6OO mark, ; KING’S THEATRE, STRATFORD. - | I ALL BRITISH TALKIES. ! The all-Brilish talking pictures will be screened at the King’s to-night in a fascinating programme of delightful subjects including “Her Night Out,” a good comedy, “The Village Band,” Madame Paganini, the celebrated Continental violiniste, in popular and operatic solos, also character sketches, jazz bauds, music, instrumental solos, etc. The talkies will be seen and heard to-moi-row night, and there will be a special school matinee on Tuesday at 3.30 p.m. “The Farmer’s Daughter,” starring Marjorie Beebe, is based on a story by Harry Brand and Henry Johnson and tells ’ the story of a city slicker who boasts that the squawk of a sucker is sweet music to his ears. A dairy maid and some of her friends change his theory to his utter dismay and consternation, all of which means a full hour of fun- for those who see. the picture.