DAIRY ASSOCIATION

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19661, 22 August 1935, Page 11

DAIRY ASSOCIATION

SHAREHOLDERS’ OPINIONS

REMITS UNDER DISCUSSION. There were several hundred sup-plier-shareholders of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, at the annual general meeting in the State Theatre, Hamilton, yesterday. The report and balance-sheet, which are published elsewhere together with -the addresses of the chairman and -general manager, were adopted, without discussion. Two nominations, those of 'Messrs Hutchison, Elliffe and Cameron, of Auckland, and of Messrs Reynolds and Allen; of Hamilton, were -received for the position of auditors- The present auditors, Messrs Hutchison, Elliffe and Cameron were re-appointed after a close vote.

'Mr J. H. Furniss (Huntly) moved a resolution urging that the Dairy Gom-mlssi-on’s recommendation pointing out the necessity for a reduction in costs be given effect to- The resolution called on the Government to meet the position by 'drastically reducing the tariffs on imported British goods and '’by giving effect to the principle of “ the user pays ” regarding road finance.

Mr Furniss described the relief given by the mortgage legislation a-s totally inadequate. He moved further tliat in view of the urgent need for cheap grain for the pig industry the directors be requested to obtain grain direct from the growers in the South Island.

Mr A. Lees (Orini), spoke in favour of a 50 per -cent, reduction in rentHe took strong exception 'to the ownership of private oapital which nullified miucli of the farmery’ work. Mr Lees’ amendment also urged the Government to issue free -of charge the money necessary for all Improvements. The amendment was lost and Mr Furniss’ motion was -carried. ' Direct Supplies of Grain. Speaking to the motion referring to the need for direct supplies -of -grain, Mr Furniss said it was. obvious that bacon -production had to 'be expanded and a first-class -carcase -could not be produced unless grain was reasonably cheap. The shipping of grain from the South, was responsible for a large part of the extra •cost. He was confident that the company -could handle supplies better than any other organisation. . Mr ID. -B. Higgins (Matamata) said ■there were thousands of bushels of wheat rotting in the South Island and the wheatgrowers were keen for -a large organisation, like the dairy 'company to negotiate with them to overcome the shipping difficulties. Mr R. C, -Clark (Paerata) considered inaize and barley were more important pig foods than wheat and the ■company would be wasting its time to pass such a resolution. Barley or maize -could be grown In' the North without the restrictions whloh-affeot-ed wheat.

"It is a question of freights and un- . less we can charter -a boat, and bring the wheat up here ourselves we can . do no good," maintained Mr W. 11. , Allen (Tirau). The* resolution was* carried by a large majority. , -Mr J. Henry (Patamahoe) produced a motion proposed by -another supplier ’ | protesting to the Government against ’ i single men’s -camps being kept open ) while farmers all -over the country . could not get labour for farms. Mr B. Mourant {Orini) said he knew ! of many men In his district' capable of farm labour who were loafing on tile taxpayers’ money. . Mr'Higgins pointed out that many good farm labourers who were former* ly in trades had returned to -the cities and resumed occupations in 'those trades. They had to face up to -ihe j labour problem and lie qioved an ■ amendment that the directors set up a -committee lo -gq inlet the matter -of j farm labour with the Government. I Another supplier 'maintained that’ I farmers paid small wages for long i hours and that problem would have to , ' he faced first, while another supplier stated that most men In relief camps were unsuitable for' farm' labour. Mr A. Vosper (Putaruru) regarded the position to-day as very -serious in- 1 deed. Farm labour was practically' unprocurable and bo supported the amendment, Strong -objection was taken by Mr'A. Lees to a remark made about relief workers loafing. Those able to. engage labour were -grossly underpaying them. Small dairy farmers were the greatest, -exploiters of the lot. (Cries of “No.”) The amendment was carried. Recommendations Adqptsd. A recommendation was -carried that ilia share basis be raised from TOlb ; to 100 lb per share and that the whole Of the shareholding basis be reviewed. Following were further recommendations -carried:— “That in view of flic largo area of various wards it f s rocommended that the directors consider the splitting uj? ! of the present wards into three areas, I one director to represent, each area ! thus formed.

“That cream he graded strictly in rotation to its delivery at the factory. "That in view of and to hack up 'the company’s policy of free trade with the United Kingdom the cartage department ho instructed that where new lorries are being put on, all things being equal, none but British lorries bo allowed.

“That in the opinion of cream suppliers 'the price charged for the best class of cream separators Is far in excess of the cost of manufacture; plus a reasonable iproflt; that the board of trade be advised of the retail price charged in New Zealand and it he asked to explain the disparity between the supposed cost of manufacture and the retail price. “That wo request the directors to take up with the Government the matter of granting a similar subsidy on separators to that granted on milk piping and other dairy machinery.” To a question, Mr G. J. Parlane, general manager, said the wages cost per ton of butter was £1 Os 1.7 U, compared with £ l 5s 8d the previous year. Duty on Cement. sfr p. M. Masters moved a resolution asking the Minister of Agriculture, to remove the duty of £1 per ton on cement. Another supplier considered cement wqs more important than herd testing. Glean yards were essential for the production of superfine butterfat and on many farms (he cows were up to their knees in mud. Mr R. 11. McKenzie, the chairman, considered there was nil undue profit being made mi eentenl. Even the removal uf tiie duty would not bring

down llic price to that of English cement. With.the addition that the Government he asked to investigate the manufacturing costs of the cement industry the resolution was carried. to another supplier, said the exchange rate had benefited suppliers to the extent of £660,123 on all commodities during the year. A Voice: I wonder what the exchange cost? '(Laughter), Resolutions were passed expressing warm appreciation of the services I of the chairman, the directors, Mr J. |B. Wright, London manager, Mr G. J. j Parlane, general manager, and the ! whole of the stair. The meeting also carried a hearty vote of thanks to Messrs G. Buchanan and W. 11. Allen, the retiring directors.