"GENUINE FARMERS' CO."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 230, 28 September 1928, Page 8

"GENUINE FARMERS' CO."

AUCKLAND FREEZING CONCERN TO-DAY'S ANNUAL MEETING. CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS.

"Our company is a genuine farmers' company, whose policy is the earning of no more than a reasonable return on the capital, which is needful to provide the facilities required, and whose aim is to get charges for doing the work of treatment and putting on board the ships, down to the lowest possible point. To do this fully, output is the essential factor, and unless the farmers see to it that we get sufficient output of their produce, we cannot help them to the extent we know is possible in reduction of costs of treatment of their produce, and so increase of returns to themselves."

In this way the chairman of directors of the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Company, Mr. J. E. Makgill, addressed a meeting of shareholders at the Chamber of Commerce to-dav.

As already indicated through these columns, the company has just concluded a successful year, during which it has greatly improved its position. After referring to the reduction made in killing charges at the beginning of last season, and the company's increased turnover, Mr. Makgill said the directors had decided for the coming season to bring the rates for treating cattle, sheep and lambs at their other works to the same rate as at Southdown, and hoped that the farmers of the northern districts

would see that their stock for export was treated at the Moerewa works from all districts from which the cost of railage to Moerewa works was as cheap, or cheaper, than to the works near the city of Auckland. Their aim was to develop the output of .the North Auckland works with the products of the district for which these works were instituted by the farmers, and at which those products could be most cheaply handled. The dividing point between Moerewa and Southdown was, as regards railage on stock, about Paparoa. Before dealing with the past season's operations, Mr. Makgill referred feelingly to the loss by death of Mr. Richard Reynolds, of Cambridge, an original director, and the late Mr. Edwin Hali. He proceeded to state that during the year the efficiency of all the works and plant had been fully maintained, and the King's Wharf works had handled a record quantity of produce. Southdown had had a record killing of lambs and pigs. At Horotiu nearlyy 30,000 bobby calves had been dealt with, as well as 17,709 pigs and 3499 cattle.

The chairman gave an interesting review of the season, and also of the general stock position throughout the Dominion. The recent recorded increases in the value of our exports, he said, was pleasing, and should do much to help the Dominion to maintain its good reputation in the financial world.

They were glad to welcome back their general manager, Mr. Simson, from a well-earned holiday after 24 years in the service of the company, and also to recognise the splendid spirit of loyalty and keenness to excel which animated the staff.