N.Z. DAIRY COMPANY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4581, 2 July 1923, Page 4

N.Z. DAIRY COMPANY.

MEETING OF SUPPLIERS.

NETHERTON BRANCH. A meeting of butter suppliers of Netherton district was held in the Pulbic Hall on Friday evening. Mr R. H. Heappy presided over an attendance of about forty. Mr G. Buchanan,, in opening the meeting, explained that it had been called to place the butter position before the suppliers. At a later date the cheese operations would be explained. In regard to the paypat for cheese, suppliers should take into consideration when comparing the figures of the company’s factories with those of other factories that the majority of 1 the N.Z. Dairy Go’s, factories commenced cheese making late in the season, so would not pay out as much as some other companies. Owing tp a shortage oh the London market early shipments of cheese made good prices. The company’s Gordonton factory had been cheesemaking during the*whole of the year, and the payout would probably be Is 9d. This would be the highest payout for cheese in the South Auckland district.

Mr A. J. Heighway, of the executive staff, then addressed suppliers on the company’s operations during the pact season, particularly in reagrd to butter operations as previously reported in the “Gazette.” At the conclusion of the address questions were welcomed.

In regard to the Dairy Control Bill Mr Buchanan said that at a recent conference in Palmerston North a vote was taken on the question. For the proposition 101 votes were recorded, and 50 against. Practically eveiy proprietary concern voted against the pool and every co-operative company for the pool. At this conference every company had one vote, irrespective of the amount of its output. The South Island companies were unanimously for the Bill, so it was almost certain to become law.

Mr T. Considine spoke at length aaginst the Control Bill, quoting the stock arguments against the pool. He th?.n discussed matters concerning the company at the itfme pf the amalgamation, to which Mr Buchanan replied. In reply to Mr T. Vowles Mr Heighway said that second-grade butter was sold on the local market at 2d per pound less than other brands. Consequently suppliers were paid 2d a pound les, s for second-grade creamMr Vowles brought up the question of non-shareholders. Mr Heighway said that these men received %d less than shareholders for their cream.

Mr R H. Heappy moved, and Mr T. Vowles seconded, “That it be a recommendation from the meeting to the directors that the amount of but-tere-fat supplied by non (shareholders be shown separately on the balancesheet. Also that the amount of whey bmter be also shown separately.” Speaking to the motion Mr Heappy said he considered that if non-share-holders had tp take up shares there would have been no need for reducing the share basis from 1001 b butter-fat. Mr Heighway said that the was considered a sufficient inducement to non-shareholders to take up shares.

Tn reply to Mr T. Vowles Mr Buchanan said that in the Thames Valley district annual meetings of cheese suppliers would not be held till after the balance sheet had been issued. Mr Heappy moved, and Mr Harold seconded, that a meeting of suppliers be held at Paeroa after the balancesheet had been issued.—Carried. Mr T. Considine suggested that the overhead charges be added to the manufacturing cost so that a comparison with other companies could be made.

Mr Heighway said that the figures for the .season just closed were not available, but during the previous season the manufacturing cost from the farm to the freezer was 1.51 d, and the administrative costs were .17,1. Prior to the amalgamation the administration of the Thames Valley company was Id. >

Many pther questions that have already been reported in this pape v were discussed. The following committees were elected: Netherton, Messrs R. H. Heappy, E. Chester, W. Morrison; Awaiti: Messrs P. Harold, J. H. Carter, P. Crosby. There were not sufficient suppliers from Pukahu Road or Pekapeka Road present to elect committees to represent those routes, so the matter was deferred. ,

The meeting closed with a vote of thunks to Mr Heighway for his address, and to the chairman.