Dairy Companies' Amalgamation

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 401, 16 August 1918, Page 2

Dairy Companies' Amalgamation

(To the Editor.)

Sir —The news which appeared in a recent issue of the Times that the proposal for amalgamating the dairying interests in the South Auckland Province had been nega tiv,edbyl9 votes to 10 was, to say the leaßt, disappointing. If it is not possible to bring about amalgamation in war time, when people face difficulties or obstacles in a kindly spirit, I am very much afraid the future will not make the path any easier. Now the part that puzzles me is what are the barriers which bar the way to united interests, more especially as so many interests, which concern the farmers, have within the last few years had their forces combined. I think the whole trouble emanates from the directorship, as I feel sure if a vote by referendum was taken amongst the shareholders amalgamation would be «arried by a large majority since shareholders are anxious to prevent waste and overlapping. The decision of the conference at Hamilton does not augur too well for after-war problems. I had hopes that when the Farmers' Union fathered the scheme it would bear some fruit. Now, I would suggest that as the Parmer's Union, which are represented in every district throughout the South Auckland Province, should not allow the matter to rest wh?re it is. I think they should urge another conference where representatives from the Farmers' Union, together with the directors, could meet and at leat.t find out what the difficulties are, and what bars the way to common interests. Just recently I read a speech in your paper delivered at a welcome home in which one gentleman was nominated as the only one to govern the united interests in tke event of a amalgamation scheme becoming possible. Surely this was very indiscreet and very unfortunate, coming as it did before the conference met, and it is hardly a compliment to other dairying companies, which been successful.—Tours, etc., NZ.D.A. SHAREHOLDER