TATUA DAIRY CO.

Waikato Times, Volume 101, Issue 16896, 9 September 1926, Page 11

TATUA DAIRY CO.

T I ,TE ANNUAL MEETING RESIGNATION OF CHAIRMAN. The twelfth annual mooting of the Tatua Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd., Tatuanui, was licUl yesterday. Mr W. R. Dowry, chairman of directors, presided oyer a small attendance. Commenting on the year’s work, Mr Dowry said that it wsa one of Hie most successful the company had yet held. The payment for the season was Is 61(1 and it was expected Ihnt another would he made shortly. The cost of manufacturing was 31 d per pound, which lie considered was exceptionally good. In most other factories Ihe eost was 'id. The manager had evidently studied the business aspeel, as well as Ihe manufacturing side. Milk with a standard of 3.7, he continued, made the host cheese, and as the lest increased Ihe keeping qualities of Ihe cheese decreased. The average, lest 'of \ during last season indicated that more Jersey cows were being introduced into the district.. “If the test, had been kept down to 3.7,” he said, “the pay-out would probably have been a penny more.” The factory’s grading for the whole season was fifth highest in the stores. Everything had run smoothly during the season. A thousand crates had recently been sold at Sd a pound. The only cheese on hand now was ISOO crates, which were being held in Dondon pending Ihe settlement of. the strike. The Home market was at present unsettled and a cautious policy was being pursued. Standardisation of Milk. With regard'to the standardisation of milk, the chairman said that no scheme had yet been formulated. Rreeders’ associations had gone into the matter,' but had not decided anything. lie thought that Ihe Government would have to take action. If this was done there would be another penny a pound for cheese. Mr Darrell said that it should be the aim of the company to put a fullcream cheese on Ihe British market. He did not think the first move should come from the Government but from the farmers. He had discussed tho matter with directors of several other companies,' and had come to Ihe conclusion that only a widely-backed appeal from the farmers would bring about the desired result. The farmers had a strong case to present. They were losing money by not having standardisation of milk. He did not think there would be any opposition from breeders. The chairman said that this was a matter for the South Auckland Dairy Association to go into with other associations. Mr Woodlcaf expressed the opinion that the company should have definite prool before action was taken. It was decided that the representative of the company on the South Auckland .Dairy Association should confer with them regarding the possibility of standardisation of milk for cheese. The annual report and balance sheet were carried. .

Now Director Elected. Messrs J. Baker and W. Darrall, who had retired by rotation from the directorate, were re-elected unopposed. Mr J. Hart was elected to fill the vacancy occasioned by Mr Lowry’s resignation. Mr T. J. Ryan was reappointed auditor. In tendering his resignation from ihe directorate Mr Dowry said he was doing so because he was no longer a supplier. lie recalled witli pleasure his experiences with and traced the growth of. the company' from its humble start to the position it now held, when its name was known throughout the country. This was duo to tlic loyal co-operation of the suppliers. There had been an increase this year of 110 tons of cheese. He knew of one farm alone which had doubled its output in the last few years. He regretted that outside interests compelled him to sever his connections with the company. Mr Darrall, on behalf of the directors, expressed appreciation of Mr Lowry’s work. A vote of appreciation was also passed with acclamation by the suppliers. Dairy Control Board. In reply to a query re the present working of the Dairy Control Board, Mr Lowry said that the produce was now handled in such a way that the consumer would got' the butter in good condition and at standard prices. He was satisfied that if given a fair run the board would be a success. Mr Elliott caused some amusement when ho accused the manager of delivering water instead of whey to suppliers during the autumn season when it was scarce and needed most for the pigs. Also some suppliers hacl, lie said, brought along several empty tins and lllled them “under the manager’s nose." The chairman agToed that the system of delivering whey to suppliers needed revising, but the matter had been noticed by tho directors and the trouble would be cleared up.