RONGOTEA DAIRY CO.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 221, 18 August 1937, Page 14

RONGOTEA DAIRY CO.

ANNUAL MEETING. IMPROVED YEAR. The 43rd annual meeting of tho Rongotea Co-operative Dairy Co. was held at Rongotea yesterday, Mr W. C. Gloyn (chairman of directors) presiding. Speaking to the report (previously published), Mr Gloyn stated that the suppliers had had a better year than was expected. Notwithstanding a very wet spring and summer the supply had remained steady, but at the same time the individaul supplier milking the same number of cows had had a reduction in production owing to climatic conditions. Regarding the guranteed prices, he was unable to say whether they would have been better off on a free market, as the butter was not all sold. To-day’s price level was about on a par with this time last year, 117 s to 119 s per cwt. The grading of Rongotea cream had been well up .to standard and not unduly hard when compared with other companies. The zoning of cream collection was still a long way from being finalised. Those at present not shareholders in the company would now have to take up shares in accordance with the decision of the Executive Commission of Agriculture. The company’s share basis was one share of £2 for every two cows milked. The factory plant and buildings were in good order. A new pasteuriser of the latest type had been installed, speeding up the work. The tracks were proving satisfactory and, as it was the policy of the company to write off each track in four - years, they should be in a good postion as regards trucks from now on.

Wages in the factory had not shown the increase expected, said Mr Gloyn. With an adcltional man on account of the six-day week, the total increase for all the staff had amounted to just under £7OO. Other than for Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, the company had no overtime to pay. As regards the local markets, the whole of the Wellington province as wqll as Hawke’s Bay was now under the control of the Internal Marketing Department, and the price was governed by that department. It was expected that within the next few months the whole of the local marketing of butter in New Zealand would be under the direct control of, the department and prices fixed by regulation. Mr Gloyn thanked suppliers for their continued support, tne directors, manager, secretary and staff for services rendered. He also thanked those suppliers who had recently returned thensupply to the company. The auditor (Mr P. L. Sim) reported that the amount written off buildings and plant (£820) appeared adequate for all requirements. It was satisfactory to note that the cream lorries stood at £339 on the books. Butter on hand for local consumption had been taken in at prices fixed by the regulations governing the local market, and the balance at prices faxed by the guaranteed price regulations. The books of the company had been well kept by the secretary, Mr H. V. Caverhill. Mr W. Schreiber drew attention to the shareholding basis being cows, and asked if the articles of association had any reference to butterfat. The secretary stated that the Executive Commission of Agriculture had fixed the shareholding basis on a butterfat basis for all companies and the directors would have to consider amending the articles of association of the company. Mr Schreiber moved as a recommendation to the directors that the articles of association be amended to a butterfat basis. The cow busis penalised a man who started off with, say, 45 cows, and finished up with only 28. , . , Mr N Remnant seconded the motion and others spoke in favour of Tho 1 secretary read the wishes of the Executive Commission of Agriculture as contained in the resolutions passed it the Palmerston North conference, and this convinced Mr Schreiber that his recommendation to tho directors was not necessary. .. •-i A dividend of 5 per cent, on all paidup capital was agreed to. Mr E P Nielsen, instructor under + i. ' ~otinnal pig development scheme, spoke* on the movement and the necescjtv for pig clubs so that farmers could secure representation on the district councils and keep the industry in their own hands. He was supported by Mr_W J. Croucher, who directed attention to the need for better management. There was no reason why every farmer• should not add,

twopence per lb to his butterfat returns through pigs under proper management. Mr Sim, who was re-elected auditor, complimented tho company on making provision for sufficient depreciatidn on machinery and lorries. PETROL SERVICE. Mf H. E. Fieldhouse asked if the company could supply benzine from the factory pump at a price that would save suppliers money. He saw no reason why the company could not do so. The chairman said the pump had caused the directors somo worry. It had been an asset to the company’s own lorries, but he felt that a complete service could not be given suppliers. The benzine was a penny cheaper than at other bowsers in the locality, but the company a free air service. One felt diffident about getting benzine at the factory, then going to a garage for free air. Whenever the pump had to be attended, a man had to leave the butter' room, and that was not always desirable. Mr Hamlin said it would require the services of another hand for the company to attend to the wants of suppliers. Mr Fieldhouse moved as a recommendation to the directors that they go into the matter thoroughly. This was seconded and carried. The manager (Mr W. J. Read) spoke on cream grading and explained ways and means of effecting improvements. He pointed out that the regulations debarred him giving tho benefit of any doubt to the farmer should his cream be on the Borderline. Taken all round, the factories in the Manawatu were very close in the proportion of finest cream received to first and second grades. He marvelled at the closeness in the figures, seeing that the grading was dependent on tho senses of smell and taste. Ninety per cent, of good results in the making of butter rested with the farmer so that Rongotea suppliers could take unto themselves the credit of most of the show and other successes the company had secured. RESULT OF BALLOT. There were three vacancies on the directorate caused by the automatic retirement of Messrs W. C. Gloyn, W. A. Davison and J. Huddleston. The last-named did not seek re-election. Five nominations were received— Messrs R. C. Gloyn, W. A. Davison, A. L. Milne, A. Kilpatrick and W. H. H. Foster. The ballot resulted in the return of the first three. A vote of thanks for his services to tho company was passed to Mr Huddleston and to the ladies of the Horticultural Society who had served luncheon. At a subsequent meeting of directors Mr Gloyn was re-elected chairman.