THE MILLERS' ASSOCIATION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 4015, 24 February 1903, Page 4

THE MILLERS' ASSOCIATION.

The Otago Daily Times, commenting upon the meeting of the above Association held at Christchurch on Wednesday last, states, inter alia, that there were 2i) milling Arms belonging to the North and South Islands present at that meeting, all of whom presumably signed the amended agreement, which 'has been made current for another year, dating from March Ist next. Of the former signatories at least four of the South Island Millers are named as declining to join the Association —viz., Messrs W. Evans and Co., of Dunedin and Timaru ; Messrs A. Steven and Co., of Dunedin ; Messrs Milligan and Bond, of Oamaru ; and Messrs ■Fleming and Co., of Invercargill. This must considerably weaken the power of the Association, which does not now include any of the Timaru mills, and it is doubtful whether the Timaru Milling Company and the Belford mills, which formerly worked in concert with the Association, will continue to do so. Then, one of the Oamaru mills, and the Invercargill mill are outside the compact. This will make subsequent development all the more interesting. The principal points of the amended agreement are said to be as follows : The associated millers undertake to sell to the association at the rate fixed, less 5 per cent., discount, a " proportionate quantity of flour in every calendar month, for consumption in New ' Zealand. " Proportionate quantity " is defined as " a quantity which bears the same proportion to the total quantity supplied during any one month to the association by all the associated mills as the fixed quantity of the said mill bears to the total capacity of all the associated mills." A monthly adjustment of outputs is to be made by the general manager when the proper proportionate quantity shall be allotted to each mill owner, and any millowner whose output is short is to receive compensation for such shortage. Any flour supplied to the associa' tion "of inferior quality may be sold for less than the current rate. No flour is to be, sold, supplied, or gristed or delivered by associated mill owners to or for any person or corporation for consumption within the colony other than to the assocition. Mill owners are required to take up shares in the Association to the extent of £SO in respect of each halfsack of the fixed capacity of the mill. For any branch of the agreement a penalty of not less than £1 nor more than £IOO is provided.