AUSPICIOUS OCCASION

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 253, 10 June 1937, Page 4

AUSPICIOUS OCCASION

NEW PREMISES OPENED FARMERS’ CO-OP SOCIETY Complimented By Minister “To-da-y is an auspicious occasion for the Farmers’ Co-op. Society,” s-aid Mr Alex. Hunter, chairman of directors, when presiding at the official opening of the new Stratford premises on Tuesday by the acting-Prime Minister, Hon. P. Fraser. All would agree that the building was a great credit to 'the departmental managers who had studied the lay-out and f o the achitects and contractors, Mr Hunter said. gave him great pleasure to welcome Mr Fraser, who represented the Ir-rgett in the concern. The Government last year received a little “dividend” of about £14,000, while the 2101 shareholders divided a liktle less than £ll,OOO. However, he had no grouch about that, and he thought it was very good of the Minister to give his time to attend and open the premises. It wat a pleasure also to welcome the Miayor, Mr J. W. McMillan, Mr W. J. Polson, member for the district, and Mr H. G. Dickie, member for Patea, who was present as a shareholder of the society. Asset to Stratford. On behalf of the residents of Stratford, Mr McMillan extended a sincere and warm welcome to Mr and Mrs Fraser. It was the first official visit of the Minister to Stratford, and ! while it was regretted that it was so ; short, the visit was nevertheless apI predated. The Government, continued Mr McMillan, must have the interests. of the farming community

j very much at heart for a Minister to ■ come all the way from Wellington to officiate. The building was a cred? io all concerned. It wat a decided ! asset to the architecture of Stratford, 1 and would grace any town or city in the Dominion. He would not be surprised if it was ink-ended that Stratford should be the headquarters of : the firm, because the town was the logical base of operations of any provincial commercial concern. With the i very fine appointment/, wages might t ba considered a secondary consid'er--1 ation cf the employe s, but he understood that iiie of the secrc.s of I success of the Fa: rners’ Co-op. was ' the good wages paiu. Ho congrd.ulati ed the chairman and the directors on ] their faith in the progress of Sirat. ' ford and expressed his good wishes • for the future prosperity of the firm, j Value of Co-operation. I "Looking around a\ this building ‘ tp-day, 1 think there must be something in co-operation atter all,” said jMr Polson. However, co-operation J did not merely stop at a name and he ! hojj.d l that the co-operation signified I in the tMe of the firm went further • than merely the earning of dividends i He welcomed Mr and Mrs Fraser and • said he knew that Mrs Fraser was • regarded 1 as a Kader and one of the | intellectuals in the women’s movei men-ts in New Zealand. i Mr Fraser thanked 'the society for I the invitation to be present, and for I the opportunity to meet so many peoj pie interested in the society and animated by the spirit of co-operation. He welcomed the opportunity to come to what Mr McMillan had described as the hub of Taranaki. The large crowd present was a surprise io him and the extent of the.building was also a surprise. He had not imagined' that it would be so palatial or so well laid out. He congratulated the society on the progress as evidenced by the new departure, and complimented all concerned in the erection of the premises. It was quite evident, continued Mr Fraser, kliLt khe spirit of co-oper-a-'Jon among the farming community was growing. He had noticed the difference between New Zealand and Great Britain in regard to the cooperative movement. In Great Britain it had started among the industrial workers in a very modest way and gradually gained impetus until it had reached tremendous proportions. When he had visited England in 1935 he had been stagg-red by the immense scope the movement. In New Zealand co-cpEration was stronger among the farming community. It was amazing whalt people coming j together for mutual assistance could achieve.

Presentation to Mrs Frase r . Mr J. A. Dpffill, of the firm of Duffill and Gibson, who prepared the plans of the building, apologised for the absence of Mr W. Williamson, Chris l !. church, builder, and presented Mrs j Fraser with a key in the form of a j brooch. A replica of the brooch was | presented by Mrs Fraser o Mrs (’. ! G. Trotter, wife of the general man-{ ager of the soeiety z Mr TrC’.ter r fe’T ’-.l to the difficul-! ties encountered immediately following the foundation of the society when Messrs A. Death, A. Hunter anc

C. D. Dickie personally found' the money to meet commitments. Close on 1000 people were present in the commodious storeroom to hear the addresses, and members of the staff assisted in servii- afternoon tea. Great credit is due to the staff for the manner in which the large crowd was catered for. Mr W. E. Williams, Straitford branch manager, was in charge of the organisation and the whole of the arrangements worked excellently.