DRIED MILK CONTROVERSY

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 399, 9 August 1918, Page 2

DRIED MILK CONTROVERSY

Mr Goodfellow's Reply to Mr.Pacey's Offer

In reference to the offer made, aa reported on page 1 of this issue, by Mr H E Pacey, on behalf of the N Z. Dairy Association, to the Waikato Co-op. Dairy Co. Ltd for one of the Association's dried milk factories to be lent, on certain conditions, to the Waikato Company for the coming spason, Mr W Goodferiow (Managing Director of the Waikato Company) has sent the following reply, viz: Mr H" E Pacey, Managing Director, N. Z. Dairy Association, Auckland. Dear Sir,—Your letter re "your bona fide proposition " to hand. You have evidently overlooked the fact that Messrs. Joseph Nathan and Co. are the sole manufacturers and proprietors of Dried Milk (Glaxo) in New Zealand. I fail to see therefore, how you can make a genuine offer. As a matter of fact, some time ago Nathans made a similar suggestion to us, and possibly this is the same proposal now presented through the co-operative channel. In any case the idea is unthinkable and quite unworkable and I am convinced that IT WAS INTENDED TO BE SUCH.

It is true that your Association found all the required Cash for Plant and Buildings and also cultivate the truly co-operative spirit by distributing cheques to Nathan's employees and the suppliers. Otherwise I understand this business is run by Joseph Nathan and Company of Wellington. I do not desire to give you advice, much loss to show you how to run a Milk Powder Factory profitably, but it does appear to me that a business-like way out of your difficulty would be for you to publish your Association's Agreement with Nathans and, further, place before your people, a simple statement showing exactly what Milk Powder (Glaxo) would pay out if the supplier got all that was in it. If Nathans are only making a small trade profit surely they cannot object to such a, reasonable request, especially as it would be in the interests of Co-op-eration and the Dairy Industry. lam sure you will accept this suggestion in the spirit in which it is made, and will at once deal with the matter in your usual frank and straightforward manner.—l am. Yours faithfully, WM. GOODFELLOW. PS You will be interested to hear that Taupiri has signed up for 3000 cows. Te Awamutu and Aka Aka are about fixed and Waharoa already assured.—W.G.