GEAR MEAT COMPANY

Wairarapa Age, 18 December 1919, Page 7

GEAR MEAT COMPANY

, ANNUAL MEETING. I The annual meeting of tho GearMeat Preserving and Freezing Company was held on Tuesday, Dr. A. K. • Newman presiding. Dr. Newman read ' apologies for the absence of Messrs \ W. H. Millward and H. Beauchamp. The Chairman, in moving the adop- . tion of the report and balance-sheet, ; congratulated shareholders upon the results of the year's operations. He , thought, however, it was only fair to the company to state that the profits ,had been considerably enlarged by the enforced storage of meat and wool at rates fixed by the Imperial Government. Then again tor two years prior to the signing of the armistice there had been no shipping available j for either tallow or pelts, and these i had necessarily to be held until an ! opportunity occurred to realise them, i During that time large quantities ac- { cumulated, and when they were sent » forward they met high prices. As forecasted at the previous meeting the quantity of stock slaughtered was, owing to congested stores, less than that of tho previous season, and there did not appear to be any likelihood of expansion this year. The freezing companies having received instructions to cease telescoping carcases thera would be a storage loss of 2o per cent or, moro, and even if refrigerated tonnage to that add:t:unal extent were available the results would only be the same. In the intciests of the producers it was well that the old method was to be reverted to, so that when the Government contract expired the market was likely to be dear of those carcases, which, owing to their being cut across the most valuable parts, were not viewed favourably by the trade. It would also create a clear line of demarcation between the fresh and long stor6d meat. There were many opinions as to the world's shortage of meat, but it might be as well to remember that in the meantime not only were there large quantities, in hand at the sources of origin, but the stores in Great Britain were practically full and tnqf discharge of steamers was being <ie *> layed on that account. The Continental countries found the adverse rate of exchange an obstacle to their purchasing beyond barest requirements, and at the moment there was little demand in Centra! Europe for canned ' goods. After 36 years of unremitting i hard work and singe-hearted devotion to the company, the managing direc- 1 tor had resigned his position, No ! < words could express the high esteem f j and deep affection which 'each direc- j tor felt for Mr Millward, which was : j equally shared by all the company's employees and the company's customers. A man of real genius, with ' the highest powers of organisation, * he carried the company to its present i high position. He was endowed with t great .determination, great tact, a fwonderfully kind heart, and conduct- t

Ed the business in the highest levels of commercial morality. The direchis health might be completely rehis advice might be. available to the company. Mr W. H. 8. Moorhonse seconded the motion, and it was carried. The retiring directors, Dr., A. K. Newman and Mr H. Beauchamp, were re-elected. The retiring auditors, Messrs Ernest W. Hunt and IS. Jk.