FARMERS' DAIRY UNION.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 909, 31 August 1910, Page 10

FARMERS' DAIRY UNION.

ANNUAL 1 MEETING, •v (By Telegra.pn.—Press Association.)' V'/";;,/Eketahuna,* August 30. , V The annual meeting of the-New Zealand Partners'r DairyVUnion... was- held - ,at Ekctahnna this afternoon." ... . -The-,chairman {Mr. T. Parsons), in .moving the v > adoption of the reports sai'd •that 'the ..time, .was '' fast' approachingwhen; the union would have paid off all borrowed money. - The total liabilities werV now 318,890, -against > which N were land,' buildings, and plant valued at 326,005." The paid-up capital was .£14,600, and the liquid assets ,£10,931, leaving a balance of <£3668 ou'side .the' paid-up : capital." In 1896; the union's turnover w ; aa 327,000,- tho amount . paid for / butterfat ,£18,115, and the interest 3686. For 1910 :the figures were 387,000,: ,£65,777, . and 3336.^ respectively. In 1896 the. combined working expenses and interest amounted to .34312, while in 1910 the amount was 0n1y"35300, with three times the turnover. .The' balance-sheet showed a credit' of 33308 Os. 'lOd., made, up 'of 32564 65.. Id. for - earmarked, debentures 'and 3745 Bs. Bd. for. profit; Working suppliers received •lOid,; for butter-fat, the highest yet-paid for the season by the union., Last year there'were over 100 new'suppliers, and there, was also an increase of 134 tons of butter, and 116 tons of cheese for the year;"; Pasteurisers had been installed at most .of tho creameries. The speaker expressed'the opinion that the Dominion's produce should-be placed in the hands of a few-good firms,'only, so-as to regulate .the - price. There should be ,no weak holders to force sales and reduce prices.' The^ -producers, had :lost\ a large sum of money; during-the last two years in'the local. markets, through , weak holders :or holders who had some object, not in the interests of producers, in view. The producers should appoint a commissioner to regulate prices according to ; supply and demand, as was done in Denmark. The high prices ruling for land, labour con-, ditions, and the small reduction in the price; of produce spelt failuro to many. "On the whole, however, he thought that never before had prospects been so good. ... The report was adopted. A ..5- per cent, dividend was declaied, and . the balance carried forward. Messrs. Maul and Voss were re-elected directors,' and Mr. Wilberfoss auditor.