FARM NOTES

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 147, 26 August 1926, Page 6

FARM NOTES

BH!EB MILK SUPPLIERS, , THE WAHAROA MEETING. The annual meeting of dried milk suppliers to the Waharoa factory (N.Z.C.D.C. Ltd.) was held on Friday. Owing to many of the suppliers being at the funeral of Mr. F. E. Hug-hes’ son the attendance was not ! as large as that of last year. Mr. W. McGill, chairman of the suppliers’ I committee, presided. Officials present were : Messrs. W. M. Goodfellow (managing director), Pastor Clark (director), I-I. H. Sterling (general manager) and Rewcastle (dried milk superintendent). A motion of condolence was passed with Mr. F. E. Hughes (a director) in his bereavement. Mr. Goodfellow, who was applauded upon rising- to speak, said he would not have much to say as the position was reviewed at the previous meeting. However, the powder stocks had been reduced, and the forecast of the previous meeting had been correct. There was only two months’ supply in hand, which was as little as could be safely held. The stock was sold at the figures produced in the balancesheet, and the returns would probably be slightly better. Eastern and other markets had been further developed, especially at Singapore. The time would come when the East would absorb quite a large proportion of milk powder. FREIGHTS. The company had secured a reduce tion in freight. They had not been quite successful in getting a shipping freight on a weight instead of a cubiccontent basis. The freight, however, was down to a figure that was competitive with the United States freights to England. Material fluctuations in London were not anticipated at present, though the United I States might on occasion have a sur-| plus ; in view of this contingency it was satisfactory that the freight rates between Auckland and London compared favourably with those from New York to London. STRIKE LOSSES. The speaker intimated that about

£6OOO had been lost owing to the coal strike, which lasted five weeks, hence the adverse effect on the coal rebate. STQCICS WELL DOWN, The total amount of powder in stock, including seven tons of this year’s make, and all stocks in England and on the Continent, was 1898 tons. The actual cost of administration at Waharoa was slightly under £IOO. A sum of £3250 was written off the casein plant. The original cost of the factory was £84.900, which had been written off to the extent that there was now £33,900. The payout was stated as ltd, less cartage for those using lorries, and lid plus id for those making their own deliveries. Mr. Goodfellow paid -i tribute to | Mr. J. B. Wright, late London manager, now manager for the Control j Board, who had given excellent ser- ; vice. It was anticipated that Australia would have an increase of 30,000 tons I for this year, and this increase, taken ] with the coni strike, might mean a reduction of 3d per pound. When butter dropped Id per pound, or 2d at Home, it meant that large numbers of people left off margarine and bought butter, and the reverse process took place when butter rose. The company, it was widely recognised, had the finest milk powder that was on the London market, and it would be difficult to dislodge them. Mr. Sterling w°s keen co-operator, in entire sympathy with the objective of the business, w°s well posted in commerce, transport and legal training, and was a student of economics. The sneaker .appealed to suppliers to l give. Mr. Sterling level support. Mr. Rewcastle explained the details of the profit and loss account, and the adjustments between the various factories in the dried milk and casein manufacture. The chairman said he thought the fgv.res and adjustments reflected credit on those responsible. (Applause.) Mr. Sterling assured the meeting that he would give them the best services of his qualifications. He had e 1 wavs had his heart in his work, and he still had that attitude. GENERAL MANAGER’S ADDRESS. Mr. Sterling- said he had gone thoroughly into the milk powder business, and Mr. Goodfellow had supplied him with all particulars. He had come to the conclusion that the powder position was sound. Powder was only a

by-product, and it could not be cx- j peeled to make a fortune out of a\ bv-produce ; but what was made was ! profit on that which might otherwise , have been waste or loss. At one time butter was not supposed to have a • great future, but it was the main industry now and had left wool and meat standing. Powder would still have ups and downs, but the prospects for next year were better ; there was no casein plant to be wiped off ; freights had been reduced ; all factories would be working ; cartage costs had been reduced ; the concentrator would effect economy ; so that there was justification for optimism. They had to be prepared for setbacks, but such could be overcome. He was a co-operator, and had been so on the railways, and he had had a good deal to do with giving better service to the public. He believed in the practical application of co-operation as the solution of many of the social and economic difficulties of the day. Cooperation had started the dairy industry on the high road of success. He did not believe in abstract theories, and he wanted to see co-operation in actual practice. The meaning of co-operation was “ working together.” It was far better to work together in every way ; man was a social animal, and it conduced to greater efficiency and enjoyment to co-operate. On that basis, he felt quite assured of the future of the company. He did not want anyone to think of him as a rogue, a thief or a liar merely because | , they might not have full information, or did not see eye to eye with him. He would again ask for their loyal co-operation. (Applause.) CO-OPERATION. Pastor Clark addressed the meeting , shortly, and read a copy of a telegram to the effect that the Legislative Council had passed the third reading of the Control Bill without amendment. (Applause.) The dairymen had formerly been controlled, but they would now be able to have some say lin their own affairs. Mr. Clark continued on the lines upon which he spoke at Matamata. Mr. Veitch, M.P., was asked if, during certain discussions upon the Control Bill, he had been representing the proprietary interests. He had hesitated, and then admitted had represented proprietary concerns. Mr. Veitch had urged them to use the “ soft pedal,” but enough time had been spent upon it. There had been control in London, for the Danes had exercised control to their own advantage ; it had not ruined Denmark, whose selling agents had exercised control on their own account. It was not possible to get sufficient milk in any considerable town in the ’ world all the year round, and therefore there was a great future for dried milk. The coal mine was specially valuable to the dried milk industry, so much heating being* required. The slack coal was used, and was supplied at a much lower price than the mine owners were threatening at one time. The same thing applied to the box factory. Now it was manures, and he hoped they would be relieved of ] the necessity of taking action in that \ respect. I Mr. Clark urged the cultivation of co-operation, or the spirit of unanimity. The origin of co-operation was due to John Owen, a master weaver, a \ quiet, penetrating thinker, who had j achieved great success in his day. He and his fellows had put in a shilling 1 a week until they had got £2B, and I stocked a very small store, despite the i laughter of the populace. Within a I few months they had a very large I store, and ultimately went into many | lines of business, including shipping*; I the gospel of co-operation spread. (In I Scotland the co-operators had £30,1000,000 sterling of capital, and a turnover of £60,000,000. One-third of the population was now trading with co- , operative stores. If they worked loyally together no human power could stop them. WATER IN MILK. Mr. McGill said the committee had gone into the question of water in the milk, due to too much water being left j in the machines for flushing, and rainj water falling in the cans. A substani tial penalty was proposed. It was not thought practicable to make differenj tiation where a good explanation 1 could be given, as that would upset the i whole scheme. The drying out of the water was an expensive business. ! Mr. Goodfellow supported the pro- , nosrl. There was no intention to un- ! duly penalise suppliers, but in some | cases it was time to call a halt. . The suggestion was that the man who 1 supplied milk with over a certain peri centage of water in should lose the i premium for that month. A motion agreeing to the penalty was carried.

It was stated that in one case there v/as 273 per cent of water in the milk. CAN-WASHER. Asked if it was advisable to put a mechanical can washer in at Waharoa, Mr. McGill said the machine would cost £335. He was satisfied that it would pay, but the committee had hesitated to do it without the sanction of the suppliers. He moved that the washer be installed. Mr. Goodfellow said the machine was in other factories, was quite satisfactory, and the best washer on the market, and left the cans dry. Mr. Walker said that one had been installed in the butter factory, and they had had excellent reports from suppliers at a distance. The reports from all sources were very favourable. The maintenance was trifling, lie could recommend it to the suppliers. In some cases it had improved the grade. Mr. J. Smith thought the suppliers who had their own carts should not pay the lot, as it was only those using the lorries that required the machine. Mr. Ryan said the idea of the committee holding the matter up was to decide whether they should have the machine this year, seeing that they were getting a concentrator. The motion was carried. A resolution was passed, on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. Wright (Waharoa), expressing appreciation of Mr. J. B. Wright’s (London) services. SAVING ON CARTAGE. Mr. McGill said that practically 3d per lb had been saved on the cartage of milk, besides depreciation on their own lorries. They had got a capable and cai*eful contractor in Mr. Gooseman. (Applause). QUESTIONS. In reply to Mr. Smith, Mr. Goodfellow said Mr. Robertson, first assistant at Waitoa, was in charge of the operations in the dried milk factory, Mr. Walker being in charge of both factories. Mr. Goodfellow spoke appreciatively of the services of the late manager, Mr. Smith. A resolution of appreciation was carried. COMMITTEE. Mr. Goodfellow paid a tribute to the work of the committee, and deprecated the idea that there should be no committee this year. Mr. Sterling said it was essential to have a point of contact between the suppliers and the management. The [ system was very valuable in giving the management the suppliers’ point

of view. He would view with great regrec the abolition of the committee system. Mr. W. P. Ryan, who had suggested that there should be no committee, said he had heard rumours that the factory would be better without a committee. He did not intend to stand but he would nevertheless be very sorry to see the factory without a committee. vg Mr. J. Clothier moved that the old committee be re-elected. Two members declined. The following were elected: Messrs. W. McGill, D. R. Gunn, F. E. Hughes, W. R. Wilson and H. Lewis. Mr. McGill said lie did not think there had been more than three or four absences for the past four years from meetings. Mr. Lewis regretted the loss of Mr. Ryan on the committee, and moved a vote of thanks for past services. Mr. McGill said that Mr. Casey had also given valuable services (Ap- X plause). Mr. Ryan suitably replied. A vote of thanks to the chair, and to officials, concluded the meeting.