DAIRY COMPANY CHAIRMAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1918, Page 3

DAIRY COMPANY CHAIRMAN.

SOME PLAIN SPEAK INC. AT THK STBATFORD ANNUAL 'MEETING. At the Stratford Dairy Company's mcetirg on Monday, .Mr- R. M'K. Moriso-n. at (he close of the ordinary business, said that this wag probably the last occasion on which they would see the present chairman presiding. He thought it only fair that they record their appreciation of Mr. Dingle's work and accord him a hearty vote of thanks.

Mr. Huggett said the meeting should go further. Mr. Dingle had proved an admirable man fur the position, and he would like to see him chairman for another year, receiving the usual honorarium or.d a war bonus of £oo.

Mr. Harris {Gordon Road) objected to Mr Ifuggett's rem*Acs. They had lost "Dick" Sedckfti. but they managed somehow to do without him.

Mr. Rawles said he had pleasure in moving that Mr. Dingle be voted £SO wl a war bonus of £35.

This was put by the secretary and carried.

lii acknowledging the vote, the chairman said if anybody thought lie was anxious for the bonus of £25 they were making a mighty big mistake. ' There weie s-oaio suppliers under a misapprehension and believed they, could put him out. They were mistaken. They could not do so. He had no desire to remain with them for a paltry £75. He could live without that. It did not disturb him. Rome had come to the meeting that day to obstruct. They had put out Mr. Were that day—a gentleman w h o "ad proved one of the best men they had on the directorate—and he ivas sorry. He had nothing to say aj*a.inst the new men going on. They might, and he hoped thfey would, prove good il'irectors. They had, however, to remember that they were likely to lose Mr. Fnstier, their secretary, and in his instance they might require a new chairman. and here a man like Mr. Were, with the rears of experience behind hini, would prove of great value. This was a period when they shoeld all stick together. Mr. F. Ranford paid it would be a fatal mistake to make changes. The company had done very good work, and he doubted if anyono could name another proprietary concern with such large interests that had been run more economically or better than theirs, and this lie attributed in a large measure to the untiring efforts of their chairman. He moved—"That this meeting requests Mr. Dingle to continuo in office for another year.''

Mr. R Mlv. Morison seconded pro forma. 'Personally, lie did not think Mr. Dingle could stay another year, and had that day laid it down that non-suppliers should not vote. He thought the chairman was throwing a slur on the community by suggesting that no one else was capable of carrying out the duties. Mr. Diiigle was getting old, and had slated to the meeting that he wanted a rest With all du:> respect to him, he believed a majority of shareholders'did not desire Mr. Dingle to continue as chairman.

Mr. Rawle s said the shareholders had no wish to lose Mr. Dingle. Tie had crossed swords with the chairman as much as any man, but lie had always respected him and would be sorry to lose him. They should judge Mr. Harris: We judge to-day! Mr. Rawles: They should judge the position in the next 12 months, and he hoped the chairman would forget any unkind remarks made that day. Mr. Silk said he would like to support the request. Prom his own experience on the directorate, they were getting every attention from the chairman. He thought the remuneration very poor. Mr Harris: The directors are getting well pai(f for any work they do. Mr. Sangster said they should not swop horses at this period." He had an interest in the company, and counselled all to hang together, hey should not risk losing a good man.. Mr. Milne said he had no objection to Mr. Dingle on personal grounds. He .had been tho best man for the position, but he based his objections on the articles of association.

Tho secretary then put the question, tvhich was carried with a few dissentient voices.

Mr. Dingle, in replying, said he would not give his decision aibout accepting right away. Had the request been unanimous, he might have felt called upon to accept. As it was, he thought he would take time to think it over. Had tho day been more favorable, they would have seen a hotter attendance, and his support would have been larger. If he continued, lie would place himself in the directors' hand's. If they desired to appoint another man as chairman, he would stop behind and help. He had been 40 years in tho industry and knew something aibout it. There were some, however, who thought that because they had a iittle farm they knew everything. Very few knew what the work of directors and chairman was. His first consideration had always been for tho company, and he had sacrificed other things to attend to their wants. (Mr. Harris interjected.) Mr. Dingle said lin interrupter Irart behaved a little better than usually, and if he refused to sit down it would not disturb tho meeting, which, however, quietly dispersed a fo\yjninutei later.