STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 October 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] THE BACON PROPOSALS, TURNED 'DOWN BY THE STRATFORD DAIRY COMPANY. Mr. K. Dingle presided at the meeting of the Stratford Dairy Company shareholders on Monday, which was called to hear an address from Mr. Barron, general manager of the New Zealand Farmers' Bacon and Meat Packing Company, on the aims and objects of the company, Mr. Barron said a great deal of interest was being taken in the company, and probably 30 dairy companies and 4000 to 5000 farmers were shareholders. There was no desire to cajole them, buj these were the days when there was talk of unholy combines, trusts, and farmers should well analyse things. It had been said that his company was not a eoBperative concern, but he said it was co-operative. If not it was one of the biggest fakes or swindles. It had three well-known Taranaki men and three Waikato farmers on the directorate, and if this.was not correct then who could trust any co-operative concern. It had been claimed that the company was an ingenious attempt to link up with the American Meat Trust. They ignored this but .the lie had been so persistent i hey were compelled to draw attention ta it and their articles of association. If this concern was an American trust then the six Taranaki and 'Waikato men on the directorate were sneaks, but he could assure them this was not the case. There were many who had started in the industry had either become bankrupt or gone to gaol. Many connected with it had not been successful, mainly because of lacking co-operation. The shrinkage question was a big one. indeed, the shrinkage was enormous and astonishing. 2071b yielding only 1701b of bacon, and a loss of 1 per cent, of the bacon handled by his company meant a loss of £9OOO to his company. To this must be added the fact that they had to carry very large stocks. Farmers here would realise partly this trouble by the fact that butter,stock had been held up. At present co-operative companies were fighting proprietary concerns. It had been said that things would hot always continue so, but there had generally beenjtroublc and it was this that caused the Waikato and South Taranaki companies to put their heads together and decide to approach Dimock's. As ft result of this conference amalgamation was brought about. To sonic it looked like trying to mix oil and water—co-operative v. proprietary—but this had been accomplished. (Tie outlined the details of the amalga. mation. Naturally the firm of Dimock's expected some return. No one but a fool would leave his money in a concern, without prospects of getting a return. The company received a return of <5 per cent, preferential interest, and the extra 2 per cent, profit could not be paid until others had also .received their share. In any case not more than S per cent, would be paid. An extra %d per lb bonus had been paid. Bacon business required capital, and there were various ways of raising this capital. Farmers could pay cash out of their pockets, or they could obtain it from the bank. But no bank cared about the bacon industry, and only by signing a joint and several could they at times obtain advances. Banks generally looked after themselves and could step in at any time and close down on them. The bank could say -they wanted certain men on the board, and the chairman would be one they nominated, and he gave instances where a company had to dismiss the manager or pay up the overdraft. Regarding his company, Dimocks had the bulk of the money and the farmers the bulk of the control. The Waikato factory had not paid a dividend the past four years. South Taranaki had paid a small dividend; so had Dimock's. Sixteen thousand shares were held by companies and farmers, showing that some had faith in the c,-7„vrn. Every pig producer in the North Island was invited to take up shares, but no one was going to chase round to ask them to join. Hitherto the industry had been of a very irregular character, but the opportunity was theirs to make things much better. Some years ago an attempt was made to merge some companies, but it was a failure, and this was because they were proprietary concerns. He next touched upon the expenses and duplication. Competition had been Claimed as the life of industry, but he could prove competition had killed the bacon industry. Another consideration was that the farmer had the opportunity of minding his own business. In butter, cheese and meat they had control at one end, but once on the market they struck the gigantic selling companies. He then touched on the Meat Trust. The manager of this was receiving >£3ooo a year for building up the trade. They could depend upon it that Armor and Co. were not paying that salary for fun. The company had to get something in return. He contrasted this payment with the quibbling some factories made over a £lO grant. He mentioned that Sir Joseph Ward believed the trust controlled four companies and had £1,000,000 to invest in the Dominion. Th« trust man had said ''pay the farmer l-4d lb more and his loyalty was gone." He did not believe this. Loyalty was a thing too precious to lose and could not be bought.' There were very few farmers who would not be loyal and stickto their own concern.

Mr. Rawles: What is the difference between shares by the individual and the company ? Mr. Barron: Individuals 20 shares, dairy companies one share to each ton of cheese and two shares to each ton of butter.

Mr. Rawles: Why should the company ,take up shares instead of the fanner? Mr. Barron: It made iTTFghter on {Tie farmer. The money, however, did not come out of milk cheques.

Mr. Edwards: Would a man who did not supply pigs have to pay 20s in the £ if the dairy company had shares in the bacon company and the latter went into liquidation? Mr. Barron: The amount would have to be paid, but there was little likelihood of going into liquidation.

To Mr. Silk: The shares were a liability, but were not necessarily to be called up. To Mr. Blackstock: Farmers could have their shares transferred to their dairy company.

To Mr. Milne: He was prepared to give lis guarantee that the company was not concerned in any other business beyond that they had amalgamated with. To Mr, Kleeman: There might be 9 or 10 other bacon comeanies la the

North Island. He believed .suppliers to these had received extra payments, but ho guaranteed this extra %d lb would not have been given but for the competition by hi 9 company.

To Mr. Kennedy: The Dimock capital was available to push the company ahead. There was nothing to compel Dimock selling but they were willing to do so if the farmers desired. He was sure they could not get better terms '.elsewhere. The farmers received the %d per lb bonus ; but the Dimock shareholders only received (i per cent. Mr. Gatenby said he was pleased at I the able manner in which Mr. Barron had [placed his views before the meeting. He then moved: "That this meeting or tshareholders, whilst thanking Mr. Barron for his interesting address, does not consider it to be in the best interest? of the company to take up shares in the NewZealand Fanners' Co-operative Bacon and Meat Packing Company, and considers the matter should be left to each individual shareholder."—Seconded by Mr. Rawles and carried. WOMEN,',S NATIONAL RESERVE. Mrs. Porter, Wife of Colonel Porter, and president of the Women's National Reserve, met the Mayoresses (or their representatives) of Taranaki this morning in tho Stratford Council chambers to explain the objects and aims of the Association. Mr.J. W. McMillan, Mayor of Stratford, presided and welcomed Mrs. Porter to Taranaki and to Stratford, »nd also extended a Welcome to the lady delegates. The following ladies tvere present:—Mrs. Burgess, Mayoress of New Plymouth, Mrs. Crump, Mayoress of Eltham; Mrs Birdsall Waitara; Mrs Barton, Hawera: Mrs Sutherland, Inglewood, and Mm. McMillan. Mrs. Porter's address was listened to with great interest. She pointed out that the Women's National Reserve was not a money collecting institution, 'although they were willing to help any other society in that respect. The main object was to train the ladies so as to make them proficient to take the places of men who were enlisting. What appealed very much to the ladies present was the fact that the Association made a special feature of caring for the mothers and bringing them together for little chats, which was found very beneficent and much appreciated. Mrs. Porter emphasised the fact that the Empire owes these brave mothers -who are making such sacrifices and at the same time are bo unselfish and willing to put aside their personal trials and anxieties in their eagerness to lighten the grief of other mothers, the common bond of motherhood bringing each and all into close touch with each other. "Mutual sympathy and support" was the motto of these gatherings. The Association have a badge which all members wear, And the mothers have a special one, and already hundreds of these have been p/esented in other parts of the Dominion. It was news to the meeting that mother?' badges were in existence, and the hope was expressed that it would not be long before the mothers in Taranaki would be each wearing one.

It was resolved on the motion of Mrs. Burgess, seconded by Mr. Sutherland, that Mrs. Porter be asked to visit the Taranaki centres and address meetings, with a view of forming a Taranaki branch of the Association, and Airs. Porter 'kindly consented to spend a week with us, and the probable dates of meetings will be: Xew Plymouth, Wednesday; Waitara, Thursday; Stratford, Friday; Eltham, Saturday; Hawera and Patea, Tuesday week. A hearty vote of thanks to Mrs. Porter and the chairman concluded a very nice little gathering. The Mayoress entertained delegates to morning tea in the Mayor's room and Mrs. Porter to luncheon in the County Hotel. At the Patriotic Mart on Saturday the .takings were £5 Ids, and at the tea rooms £6 Lis. The president of the Ladies' Patriotic Committee (Mrs. J. W. Boon) states that during November a Bpecial appeal day will be set apart for the Red Cross funds. Already some committees arc making preparations for this event.

The following vital statistics for Stratford have been supplied by Mr. Stanton, registrar. Births, for the ■month of. September 18, for the quarter si; deaths, 3, 13; marriages, 4, 9. It pays to advertise. An advertiser here tried his luck in the Daily News column re stock, and is well satisfied with the results secured.

Labor troubles are not only apparent to farmers, dairy factories, and public works. A local 'business firm are losing three hands; one has been secured in the ballot, another is pulling out to take up farm work, and the third is leaving the town to take up similar duties elsewhere. i

• A visit to the premises of Mr. C. E. James' jewellery warehouse is an eyeopener to the large and varied stock he is carrying. A glance at the choice selection convinces one that there one can find all classes of goods suitable for farewell gifts, wedding presents, etc. There is jewellery lit to grace any finger, encircle any arm, or enhance any dress. Toys are also in abundance, and a young mother can always find something there to interest and delight the most troublesome teething child.*