WAIKATO CO-OP. DAIRY CO.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 287, 26 June 1917, Page 1

WAIKATO CO-OP. DAIRY CO.

Meeting at Puni Address by Mr Goodfellow There was an enthusiastic gathering of dairy farmers in the Puoi Hall on Friday evening last when an address was delivered by Mr W. Goodfellow, the Managing Director of the Waikato Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd Mr J. N. Massey presided and expressed the pleasure of all in once again having the opportunity of listening to Mr Goodfellow who was always a welcome vieitor. Mr Goodfellow, who on rising to address the meeting was greeted with applause, congratulated the residents of the district on the progress made during the year and he p iid a high tribute to those responsible for the erection of the spacious hall which way a healthy sign of the prosperity of tae district. the company's growth The Waikato Compiny, said Mr Goodfellow, during the past year had hud a record turnover both as regards output an J payments to suppliers. One outstanding feature of the yeai's business had undoubtedly been the marked iinpmveiueut in the quality of the bu'ter. Mr Thorntun, who was rec ignisod as the greatest authority on butter grading in Aus rainsia, had informed him that he had never hanik'd such ex celleut butter and when there were to mauy \vh > were at one time so bitterly oppoa d to h>mo separation that testimony from an expert likt Mr Thornton w-n a suflii: eut recommendation ia favour of iioiu-i reparation. (.Applause) Wlt-n Mr Thornton 'mil l»n ii uskoil to nee 'tint for the uiiikiil iiupiovemeut in the quality of the butter he replied that it was undoubtedly due to the grading system Mr Goodfellow went on to state that the satisfactory result attained by the introduction of that

system was such that it would be continued, and although they had made some enemies yet their action was in the interests of all.

With regard to dairy instruction, Mr Goodfellow mentioned that Mr Cuddie, Director of the Dairy Division, had informed him that the Government would as early as possible appoint Dairy Instructors who would instruct and advise farmers on all matters affecting dairying. That, the speaker recognised, as the only weak link in the butter-making industry in this country. There were several suppliers who were not up to the, mark and if those could have instruction and help their butter would be of a better quality. As to the Company's turnover Mr Goodfellow anticipated that their output for the past season would reach over £350,000 whereas eight years ago, when they started it was only £15,000. Thus their growth and expansion was encouraging in every way. Mr Goodfellow emphasized the fact that they were home separation specialists and that the growth of their business had been the result of merit Their increased output that year had been 200 tons which was particularly pleasing because a number of cheese factories had been erected during the past eighteen months. But for this fact the output would have been much larger.

NEWTUAKAU FACTORY Owing to the expansion of dairying in the Lower Waikato, Mr Goodfellow went on to say, it had become necessary to purchase land adjoining Tuakau station and the Coy. were erecting a factory thejre which would cost about £IO,OOO, with floor space capacity of 1000 tons. He anticipated that considering the large country which the factory would serve the output from that factory would be from 700 to 800 tons. Its official opening he hoped would take place on the Ist August next and he extended an invitation to his hearers to be present on tha occasion, when he trusted the Premier, the fit Hon W| F. Massey, M.P., would perform the opening ceremony. PAYMENTS TO SUPPLIERS Mr Goodfellow next dealt with the advance monthly payments made during the past season for cream delivered on the daily direct basis were July Is 4fd, August Is sfd, September Is 6£d, October Is 4£d, November Is 3fd, December Is £d, January Is Jd, February Is 3£d, March Is 6Jd, April Is 6Jd. In the past years it had been their custom to pay the bonus on the 20th or 25th August but owing to shipping and other difficulties it was probable the final bonus would not be payable until Christmas. With regard to the shipping of butter now in store he anticipated getting some butter shipped about the middle of September. The bonus to be paid, he expected would be not less than 3d and would probably be 4d or even more. (Applause) He would, however, point out that the final bonus could not be paid in full until the butter had been shipped and sold. EXPORT OF BUTTER. Continuing, Mr Goodfellow said he was afraid there had been too much of a pessimistic strain about shipment and although there were difficulties there was no reason for undue anxiety at the present time. Ships were leaving New Zealand and taking meat at the present time because meat was more urgently needed than butter and he had every hope that during the next two mouths shipping would improve. BUTTER-FAT LEVY As to the butter-fat tax of |d per lb., the speaker said that the contribution by the Waikato Company had amounted to £9OOO but as the result of a deputation which waited on the Minister of Agriculture at Wellington some time ago he was hopeful that the same would be reimbursed.

Mr Goodfellow spoke encouragingly of their co-operative buying business with officers in Auckland and had pleasure in stating that they had had a successful year's trading with a turnover of £25,000 worth of goods. That business was conducted on distinctly co-operative lines and in addition to being able to buy goods at a low figure purchasers received a cash bonus by way of rebate of 2k per cent on their purchases.

Again, herd-testing was done free, a system, he trusted, that would be taken advantage of by every supplier. So that the Company could meet the wishes of suppliers in every way arrangements had been made to receive money on deposit and under certain circumstances also to assist suppliers by making advances to them for the purchase of dairy cows.

Concluding, Mr Goodfellow paid a passing tribute to those of their staff who had gone to serve the Empire and mentioned that the Company had made arrangements for the insurance of their lives, whilst those who returned would lie taken back by the Company. Upon questions being invited Mr R, Fulton enquired whether in the case of a supplier, who gave up uuiiyiug and wished to dispose of his shares, the Company would take them back at face value, to which Mr Uoodfellow replied in the affirmative, adding that nu deduction was made from the shares. They had, ho believed, fewer " dry " shareholders than any dairying concern in the Dominion. No other questions being asked a vote of thanks to Mr Goodfellow for

his address was carried by acclamation on the motion of Mr R. Fulton. Supper was then provided by the ladies and the remainder of the evening was devoted to music and dancing, a large company remaining until past midnight.

Similar meetings were also held and addresses given by Mr Goodfellow at Tuakau last Tuesday, at Onewhero and Pakekawa on Wednesday, at Mercer on Thursday and at Pokeno on Friday morning.