GLAXO SUPPLIERS.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 36, 19 June 1924, Page 4

GLAXO SUPPLIERS.

MEETING AT MATAMATA. Conversion to Cheese. A meeting of suppliers to the Matamata Glaxo Factory was held in Darby’s hall on Tuesday evening. Mr. H. McKean presided over a good attendance. Mr. W. Goodfeliow, managing director of the New Zealand Dairy Co., attended the meeting- and in the course of an explanatory address said that since the last meeting he had got the glaxo proprietory to reduce the cost of the factory to the suppliers. He now had pleasure in stating- that the factory building could be taken over free of any liability. The only charge would be that of converting* the building in order to make it suitable for the manufacture of cheese. The amount needed for this had been estimated at £II,OOO, and this figure was inclusive. Any houses and plant which it might be found necessary to take j over from the glaxo people would be taken at valuation and paid for out of this sum. He thought the capacity of the converted factory would be equal to the supply from 3500 cows—that would mean 12 vats operating. In reply to a question he said sugar of milk could be made from whey, but he did not think it would be advisable to make sugar of milk. Even now, the supply was. greater than the demand. One off the biggest purchasers of the product a few years ago, was now buy- [ ing very little, and at best the trade was a very spasmodic one, which he * did not think could' be made payable ’ here. .

Questioned as to the quality of milk required, Mr. Goodfeliow smilingly stated that he believed turnips could be fed to the cows so that the man on the stage would know nothing about it. A first-class milk would be necessary, but he was satisfied that the quality that they were ■ supplying at present would be quite satisfactory. He hoped that the factory would be ready for September 1; quite a lot of alterations would have to be made to the floor and interior generally. A separator would be kept going, however, all the winter. • Asked as to whether it would be a difficult matter to convert to butter | if they ever wanted to do so at any 1 t (Continued in Next Column.)

future time, Mr. Goodfeliow said that if they went into cheese they should stick to cheese. Taken over a number of years, it was found to be a payable proposition. The market at present was very firm, and he be- ■ lieved’ next year would be a really good one. When the proposed agreement was read both Messrs. J. H. Wilson and H. McKean stated that they had come away from the meeting at Hamilton with the fixed impression that no guarantee for a period of supply would .be asked. Now the agreement they were asked to sign provided for a one year guarantee. Mi", Goodfeliow said 1 it was unreasonable of the suppliers to expect tire New Zealand Co-op. Dairy Co. to take over the factory without some sort of guarantee that the shareholders would supply milk; it was not a fair business proposition. After conferring privately with some of the shareholders, Mr. MeKean said that they could see no great objection to a guarantee for one year, and personally he was prepared to accept the agreement in the form presented. A vote of thanks to Mr. Goodfeliow was then carried by acclamation. Afterwards the agreement with the Dairy Co. was signed by practically all present.