co-operation flourishing.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 569, 24 September 1920, Page 4

co-operation flourishing.

VAST DAIRYING INTERESTS.

(Special to the "Times.")

By virtue of a kind invitation of the'directors of the New Zealand Co- ' operative Dairy Company, and in company of a large number of—shall I use the term—fellow "cockies," your correspondent was privileged to visit Hamilton and enjoy the hospitality of the said board. Hamilton is nearly always interesting and progressive, though one may remark that k resembles the ancient Scottish town of Kirkaldy in that it inclines largely to length without breadth. The length is, however, adorned by many handsome, substantial buildings! An hour or two was well spent there. By six o'clock quite a large number of guests assembled at the banqueting hall, and we proceeded to show appreciation of the good things provided. When the chairman (Mr. W». Goodfellow) appeared on the platform the house literally rose at him, cheered to the echo and sang "For He's a Jollv Good Fellow" with a spontaneity which must have b,een gratifying to him. Speaking followed bv various directors, and in addition Mr. Fow, the newly-elected Mayor of Hamilton, introduced himself to us in a concise and pleasant manner. A most enjoyable evening was spent. Sinoins the National Anthem we parted in good time to prepare for a fairlv early start next morning to attend' the 'formal opening of the Waharoa dried milk factory to form some idea of the wouk already done, and of the results hoped to be obtained. , , „ . Leaving Hamilton at about < a.m. we trained to Waharoa station, where the factory is situated about 100 yards' distant. Composed largely ol concrete, the 'main building rises something more than 60ft in height. In such a large crowd only a lew could follow the manager closely enough to hear his explanations, and the writer had to rely mostly on himself for description, and guesses as to details; so perhaps readers will forgive if these are not entirely cor* reel. In front of the building stands the receiving stage, where the milk is weighed, sent to the separators, whence the cream is sent to the cream vats and the skim milk is purified right to the top of the building. The first part of the work in the separating showed plainly what the district, in common with all others at this season, suffers from the presence of feed flavouus, which are a heavy tux on the fcruttermakers' skill and ingenuity. To get back to the skim inilk, which we left at the top floor of the building. On that floor is a series of evaporators, and below on each of the other floors is a corresponding series. The milk posses through these to the bottom floor, where it is again forced by pressure up to and through the nozzles, from whence k falls in a fine white dry powder, which is then either sucked or blown into the pack-ing-room ready for the containers to carry it to market. The whole process' is carried through almost automatically, and under cover. The powder has a distinctly pleasant, aoid taste, ami only requires the addition of water to dissolve it to the condition required by bakers or sonfectioners, without any sediment -a

point of some importance. The large wide leather driving belts distinctly show the American method of transferring and distributing power, and at once catch the eye: t-he machinery also comes from that country. The suppliers are the owners of this vast aoncern, though in the first place financed by the parent company. The cost is in the neighbourhood of 660,tiM). Payment is to be made by deductions from the monthly milk cheques, and if the supply only remains what it now is and already it is on the increase - it is expected

that two years will wipe out all indebtedness- and see the suppliers in the proud position of unencumbered freeholders, 'Floreat" co-operation. The factory was then declared open in a line speech by Mr. Fow, mentioned above. After the early start,

and our appetites sharpened by the clear, frosty morning a light luncheon, provided by the owners of this factory, was much appreciated (and for which 1 wish to record my hearty thanks), after which we rejoined the train and reached Hamilton in time

for the annual meeting of the company, now boasting of some liOttf) members, and the largest dairy concern south of the equator which, as a united body, will have Jo receive much more serious consideration politically and otherwise than it has hithelto received. A pretty full report of the meeting has bee-n already published in the "Tranklin and Pukekobe Times."' so need hardly be re peated here. One general remark I may make. namely, that members of such a reputable concern should endeavour to take themselves seriously. At such a meeting it is not usual to discuss purely district affairs, which can easily be done at an earlier period. One person evidently considered that the -woid "stock" on the balancesheet should only refer to manufactured stock-, i.e., butter, cheese, casein, etc., instead of all kinds of stock [ required in the factory. A little ' thought on his part would have 1 saved a lot of time. Some younger | members seemed to want to run the I meeting. One old co-operator refer- ! ,ri l .ig to the buyers of our produce 1 (th'« British Government) was rather j rudely told to "keep his tongue off 1 the British Government." Imagine being ordered not to refer to the doings of our perforce customer, and ! that by a co-operator. It surely rej veals a peculiar mental condition. AnI other moved that the annual meetj ings should take place at 10 a.m., 1 quite oblivious to the fact that thore were no railway facilities to enable any member from fcither the Thames. the South or the northwards to be I present. It is to be hoped that time and a little thought will improve matters in these directions ere another annual meeting. Let each of us strive to think ol our company in a company position, and endeavour to arrange purely district affairs at the district meetings, which were devise/ for that purpose. There will, as time goes on, be plenty of snai's iii the way from the outside without, in pure mischief, building 11.,.,,, inside. It was apparent that many had not considered the circulars'sent out re the inversion of lie new company. A careful consideration of these circulars would have prevented quite a lot of misunderstanding. A fresh circular is beingprepared. Let every shareholder study it. It cost just about KSO to post' thesd besides the cost of compiling them. They are full of information re your own personal affairs. Don't throw them in the lire, and months after be annoyed that you did not understand the contents. Your manager, your directors, and your office staff will do their best for you; the rest must be your own individual effort. "FLORBAT CO-OPERATION."