N Z. Dairy Association.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 404, 27 August 1918, Page 2

N Z. Dairy Association.

TO THE EDITOB Sir—After reading Mr J. Raynes' I letter in your issue of the 23rd inst. I began to wonder where the commercial integrity of the New Zealand Dairy Association came in. I suppose some of the directors have money invested in other industries besides dairying, and if they had to enter camp and proceed to the seat of war they would be very indignant if they found the interest on their paid-up capital was stopped; yet such, it appears, is the position of the soldier farmer—a position which is neither right nor just. As for being patriotic, where business comes in patriotism goes out. I do not think there are any New Zealand Dairy Association suppliers who would sanction such an unjust and unpatriotic proceeding, and they should certainly make themselves heard on the 30th - inst. In comparison, my brother, knowing it was his duty to go, leased his farm and proceeded to camp. Before doing so, he approached the company he was supplying re his shares, and was told his shares would be resumed at face value, or could be left in the company as a fixed deposit at 6 per cent. Besides treating their suppliers this way, they insure every employee for £SOO who goes into camp. I leave readers to judge the commercial integrity of the two companies.—l am, etc., "JUSTICE."

| To the Editor ] Sir—l have perused with interest Mr Raynes' letter in your lust issue. An attempt was made to promote discord amongst Dairy Association people in the Waikato at the end of last year. A lively controversy took place between Mr Raynes and his associates and loyal suppliers to the Association. Mr Raynes and his associates were defeated and driven from the field after a lively conflict. On the question cf paying interest upon shares the shareholders have been fully consulted. Two or three years since the matter was mentioned at suppliers' meetings, the consensus of opinion being in favour of adopting the real co-operative method of making all distributions on a butterfat basis. Shareholding suppliers now receive 5/8 d per lb more for their butterfat than is paid to nonshareholding suppliers. The Association has also arranged to resume from persons who have ceased to produce butterfat all 'C' issue Bhares at par and all 'A' issue shares at 75 per cent of the amount which has been paid up. Thus the scheme is now more really co-operative than it has ever been before and as the annual report advises that 7502 shares were resumed during the last financial year the arrangement would appear to be in very active operation. Mr Raynes complains that the Association has failed to satisfactorily deal with the proposition. Personally I think they have dealt with it in a very satisfactory manner indeed. Mr Raynes also complains of evasive replies. My recollection is that Mr Raynes' committee threatened legal proceedings against the Association nearly twelve months since and the Directors of the Association at once accepted the challenge and asked that the writ be served on the Association's solicitors. The reply certainly was not evasive and if Mr Raynes and his associates have not served the writ they are in a very foolish position after their very brave talk on the subject Concerning Mr Raynes' personal position, it is now an open secret that he indicated to the Association that he desired to quit his shares at 75 per cent of the amount paid up and as the Association was at that time in touch with a supplier who desired to purchase fully paid up sLaresat7s per cent it offered to transfer his shares to the said supplier. When such airangement was made, however, Mr Raynes is understood to have withdrawn from the deal with a view to continuing his present unreasonable propaganda. I have made enquiries about the letter quoted by Mr Raynt-s and conclude from information which I have received that the brother mentioned is probably Mr Cooper, who formerly supplied at Razorback. I do not j know anj thing about Mr Cooper's position but it would appear that he j ceased to be a supplier and subsequently enlisted. Thus the confusion ; of patriotism with business would appear to be a specious attempt to cloud the real issue. It is understood that Mr Cooper supplied the Razorback creamery, which creamery was closed some years since. If that is so the creamery asset was wasted to a considerable extent and if it is correct that the Directors of the Association offered 75 per cent of the paid up value of the shares I think they made a very liberal offer indeed under the circumstances. I would draw attention to the fact that the Association's reply to the "dry" Shareholders' Committee some six months since indicated that special consideration would be given to a soldier's position with a view to avoiding any hardship. I do not d'uibt hut that the Directors will live up to thia promise.—l am, etc., G P. EWINO, Whangarata.