UNIQUE BUSINESS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 534, 11 December 1928, Page 14

UNIQUE BUSINESS

PROSPERITY OF TATTERSFIELD, LTD. ANNUAL MEETING HELD “In some respects our business is unique,” said Mr. S. "W. Tattersfield, governing director of Tattersfield, Ltd., speaking at the 16th annual general meeting of shareholders yesterday afternoon. “Three out of five of the departments are manufacturing goods which no other firm in New Zealand is making, and one of our departments is making goods that no other firm in Australia or New Zealand manufactures.” Mr. Tattersfield was speaking to the motion to adopt the annual report and balance sheet, which have already appeared in The Sun. “I have pleasure in congratulating the shareholders on the result of che year’s workings and increased dividend which we are able to pay,” he said. “A little while ago one of our shareholders stated that the business of Tattersfield, Ltd., was not only owned by the shareholders and directors, but that we were the trustees of a valuable secondary industry belonging to the whole of New Zealand. In this I concur, but we cannot take all the credit. Some of it must be given elsewhere. “I feel that it is only right to give the credit of a large amount of the success where it is due, and in this respect I want to pay my tribute of appreciation to Mr. J. W. Collins, the energetic secretary of the Department of industries and Commerce, who, since 1924, has done a great deal to put the company’s prpducts on the map, not only in New Zealand, but in countries overseas where our productions are shipped. “I wish also to thank the other Government departments for their support and consideration o'f New Zealand-made goods. “No one could accuse me of taking a great interest in politics, and when I did it was in the Liberal interest; but if the attitude of the various Government departments to this company reflected the sympathy of the Reform Ministry (and I think it did), then the late Government was honestly doing its best for all sections of the people of New Zealand irrespective of party or creed, and the shareholders of this company and the workers have both to thank largely the late administration for the year’s results.” Before the annual report was adopted, Mr. Tattersfield said that since the last meeting the company had lost one of its shareholders, the late Cr. Brinsden. Those present, stood for a few minutes as a mark of respect to the deceased. Mr. T. B. Clay, in seconding the adoption of the annual report, said that it was very gratifying to the shareholders to see the progress which had been made since the inception of the company. There had been an annual growth In the volume of business and profit. This profit, he said, was probably more appreciated by the shareholders than the growth of business. In paying a tribute to the work of Mr. Tattersfield, Mr. Clay said that no one would accuse him of being lackadaisical. Mr. Tattersfield had always put his shoulder to the wheel, and the result was to be seen in the prosperity of the company, and in its magnificent group of buildings. This year’s dividend was very gratifying and ho saw no reason why it should not be repeated next year. Everything pointed to success. Next year Mr. Tattersfield would be able to say, “I told you so,” when he referred to the increase in profits. One very pleasant feature of the balance sheet was the bonus which was paid to the employees of the company. Mr. Clay said he did not think there was a company in the whole of New Zealand which was run on such admirable lines and where there was such harmony existing between the employees and the governing director. The bonus of £I,OOO distributed to the employees just before Christmas each year tended to make them happy and contented, and able to spend an enjoyable holiday. The annual report was adopted unanimously. Mr. Reg. G. Clark moved the adoption of the half-yearly appropriations, amounting to £5,854 0s 3d, which was also carried unanimously. The following directors were reelected for the ensuing year: Mrs. Tattersfield, Messrs. T. B. Clay, S. L. Hirst, A. Howey-Walker, Reg. G. Clark and F. G. Tattersfield. In conclusion the governing director paid a tribute to the efficiency and the co-operation of the staff* which had at all times been excellent.