“MOT GUILTY."

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4499, 4 December 1922, Page 3

“MOT GUILTY."

MR. W. GOODFELLOW ABSOLVED. MR. G. BUCHANAN'S STATEMENT. At the close of; the quarterly meeting of glaxo suppliers at Te Arolia West last Thursday atfernoon (states' " the Te Ar.oha News) Mr G. Buchanan, formerly chairman of directors of the Thames Valley Dairy Co., and (since the amalgamation) a director of the N.Z. D.airy Co., Ltd., said one of his chief reasons for attending was to refute a published statement that Mr Goodfellow was responsible for the Waifoa dried milk factory. He wanted to say that Mr. Goodfellow had had absolutely nothing to do with the enx terprise, which wa® decided upon by the Thames Valley Dairy Co. at a time when efforts were being'made to induce Natlhan and Co. to erect glaxo factories in the Thames Valley Dairy Co.’s district. Much interest was being centred in the prospects of milk powder, and suppliers were desirous of obtaining equally high payments for their milk supply. He was personally responsible for , the Waitoa enterprise ,in that he persuaded his fellow directors to send their general manager to America to investigate ..the position. After the reports were received .and considered the Waitoa suppliers decided to erect a large factory lo powder, being told at the time* that they were making a.n expensive venture—if it turned out trumps it would be a holiday for, the suppliers, and if it failed, then the suppliers would have to bear the cos*;. Mr Gobdfellow was not in any way to blame. The Waitoa building was put up in war time at a total cost of £42,000. The rest of the money went in machinery and equipment, which was purchased when the exchange rate was adverse to New Zealand. Oho main reason for going in for milk powder manufacture,was to keep the dairy industry in the hands of the co-operative companies, and thus prevent the proprietary concerns getting a larger grip on the industry in the Thames' Valley. Proprietary concerns had admitted that they were making a "good thing’’ out of the business, but at present their prospects were not so bright. However, He was absolutely ebfnfldent that the milk powder industry would prove a payable proposition—if not this year, then in the near future.