FARMERS’ CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 479, 19 July 1902, Page 3

FARMERS’ CONFERENCE.

CO-OPERATION IN FREEZING, ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING. (Per Press Association.) WOODVILLE, last night. The Conference resumed its sitting at nine o’clock this morning. The committee appointed to draw up recommendations' made a report-, which was adopted as follows : “ That a co-operative freezing company be formed with a capital of £200,000, in £5 shares, to be called the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Association, Limited. “ That the Company 1* not- floated until half the shares are applied for. “ That there be nine directors, with power to add to their man tier ; five to form a quorum. “ That the election of directors he left to delegates from each of the nine electorates represented at the Conference.

“ That it. be a recommendation to the provisional directors to interview the existing freezing companies- at Wellington and Hawke’s Bay, with a view to inducing them to do the company’s- work on co-operative lines ; failing that, a company, to be floated t.o do its own freezing. «* That the voting (power of shareholders he as follows : 1 vote for each share up to ten ; one vote for each ten shares beyond that, and no shareholders to have more than forty votes,”

A long discussion todk place on the question of approaching the. existing companies, opinions l*ing divided as to whether it was desirable to first form a company and then approach the companies to ask them to cease buying, and freeze only on farmers’ account, or ask them first, and.lt iney refused then start works on the sheepfarmers’ own account. Eventually, it was decided that a company he formed, and that instructions he given to the directors to interview the existing companies. The question was- then raised as- to whether shareholders were prepared to bind themselves to supply all their fat sheep to the proposed company, and opinions were expressed by various delegates that the farmers must pledge themselves to do this, otherwise. l their efforts to compete with existing companies was futile, The question wiry eventually allowed to stand over for the present. Mr Tansey, of Danncvirkc, moved, and Mr Whitcomb, of Kaitawa, seconded, ■“ That the time lias arrived when the Government should be asked to appoint graders, so that all meat leav-ing-_the colony be graded and stamped witli a New Zealand brand.” The Chairman ruled that this was a question having no connection with the formation of a company. Provisional directors were then elected, as follows John Martin, Wairarapa ; W. Perry, Masterton ; lI.D. Buchanan, Pahiatua ; Davis, Waipawa; T. Hallett, Hawke’s Bay ; John Davies, Otaki ; Donald Fraser, Manawatu ; I). P. Buchanan, Rangitikei ; ,T ; Duncan, Wangaebu. The meeting closed witii cheers for the organisers, Messrs Smith, Perry, and Buchanan,;