THE PRICE OF MILK

Te Aroha News, Volume XI, Issue 1724, 23 March 1895, Page 2

THE PRICE OF MILK

REYNOLDS & CO. & THE SUPPLIERS. MEETING AT TE AROHA WEST. Zesteuday morning at 930 o’clock Messrs Richard'Reynolds and Earley, representing the firm of Reynolds and Co., Ltd., met the suppliers of the Te Aroha West creamery. There were some 15 suppliers present, and Mr Me Kenzfe was voted to the chair.

Mr Reynolds in his opening 1 remarks explained to those present the unfor - tuuate circumstances which had been the cause of this meeting, and said he felt it very keenly in having to come before them on such a. mission. He stated the circumstances were wellknown to them all, and in asking for a concession on the terms that had been agreed on at the boginning oi the season, he was only doing that which was absolutely necessary. The company wore terribly handicapped, owing-to the very mild season .which has been prevaling in the Old-Country, which caused a considerable increase in tho home-made article, and also to the way the Danes were pushing their trade in the English market. Mr Reynolds also explained the disadvantage the company were at in the exorbitant rates charged on railways for the carriage of their goods. Mr Reynolds brought to the notice of the meeting a petition to tho Government asking for a reduction in the charges for carrying milk and cream over the railway lines to Auckland. Mr Reynolds explained that his company were exceptionally heavily handicapped in this respect, and he thought they had a very strong case to"place before tho Department. Those present were thoroughly in accord with the prayer of the petition, and unanimously voted in favour of the chairman or the meeting sighing, it on their behalf. .

Mr Stanley said that as far as this creamery is concerned the suppliers have not had their dues, and went on to pi’ove how ho had been treated, not receiving the proper percentage of his milk. He also spoke of the vast difference between tho testing at Ngaruawahia and that obtained at the local creamery, as tho milk when forwarded to the former place received such a shaken about that it was impossible to obtain a correct test therefrom.

Mr Reynolds explained that it was the wish of the delegates representing. the suppliers that the milk be tested at Ngaruawahia, and said that every care had been taken to give a satisfactory result. Mr Earley : I have given orders that in future the milk bo tested at the creamery, and hoped that would settle tho difficulty complained of. Mr Stanley asked if it was the intention of the company to reduce the salaries all round, managers, etc., at the same rate as they were asking the suppliers to accept. Mr Earley replied that reductions had been made on all sides, and that they were still curtailing expenses. Mr Farmer : I think the managers receive little enough at present for their labour.

In reply to a voice Mr Earley said that no person in the employ of the Co. received as much as £-300.

Mr Murphy asking that in the event of a managei of a creamery showing impartiality to any one supplier, would the company remove tho said manager. He did not refer to their own factory, but spoke in a broad sense.

Mr Earley mentioned that checks had always been kept on the work of the mangers, and if anything went wrong a person would be . sent to investigate. Mr Jackson asked if it was corre that Reynolds and Co.’s butter was selling in Auckland at 9d per lb. Mr Earley stated that this was not the case, and said that not a quarter of,ap>und out of every 100 pound of butter made was sold in the oqlony. Mr McKenzie asked if Mr Reynolds could give any idea of the price likely to bo obtained for their milk next season.

Mr Reynolds said he could mot exactly say, but felt confident, that it would never go below 2Ad. peit gallon. To show tho present state of tho butter market at preseut ruling at Home, Mr Farley read an extract from ong of the papers recently . received, which stated that the butter market was lower, now than it had been for over 100 years. Tho cause of which was the enormous quantity at present on hand. Mr Farley said Reynolds and Co. themselves had something like 50 tons of butter on hand in New Zealand, which, at £IOO per ton, meant a good deal to tho Company. Mr Farley then read the agreement embodying the proposals in the circular which the suppliers were asked to sign, viz., a j-d per gallon reduction from all milk supplied to the creamery since last September to the end of March and April, the refund to be taken out of the next two months payment.

All those pr esent were against signing this agreement, but it was ultimately resolved that the suppliers were agreeable to a reduction of ]d for the next two months. Mr Reynolds said the decision are rived at would be considered at a meeting of tho Company to be held in a few days, 'which would decide whethe r >r not the creamei-y would be kept going. An amendment was put stating they would be willing to a reduction for last month and March and April, but was lost. -.jp A vote of thanks to the chair brought ihe mooting to a close.