CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 3, 4 September 1945, Page 5

CONSTRUCTIVE PROPOSAL

AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY

DEPARTMENT

DAIRY COMPANY TO INVESTIGATE A constructive proposal put forward at the annual meeting of suppliers to the Rangitaiki Dairy Company last Wednesday by Mr I. Withy met with a mixed reception. The suggestion was that the Company create a new department whereby agricultural tractors and implements could be purchased and worked for the benefit of shareholders who might not be in a position to own the implements themselves. Mr Withy, who spoke at some length on his scheme said that it was proposed to start the department in a small way and allow it to expand. The idea would be'that the machinery could be supervised and worked by a permanent staff created for the and that it could be at the disposal of farm suppliers for ploughing 5 harvesting and other upon - reasonable contract basis. He moved that a complete range of implements be purchased to perform the above operations and that a suitable staff be engaged to perform the efficient running and servicing of the plant. Mr Andrew McLean seconded.

Several shareholders supported the move but the proposal on the main was too new and far-reaching to warrant a decision at the moment. Speakers also expressed the opinion that such a venture bristled with difficulties and further that it would mean the outlay of a very considerable sum to purchase the implements required to carry out even a reasonable percentage of the work which suppliers would desire.

Considerable discussion on the pros and cons of the idea took place supporters claiming that a conservative start would be all that would be required, and th,at in a few years time the venture would be self-sup-porting and profitable.

As it Mr Withy's motion was not favoured by the meeting and an amendment by Mr R, Dunning T was finally passed as follows: That the Directors be asked to investigate the whole question of establishing a farm machinery department and report back to a latei meeting.