MARKETING SCHEME

Taranaki Daily News, 27 July 1920, Page 6

MARKETING SCHEME

■REJECTED BY STRATFORD CO-OP. \ , FUTURE PROSPECTS REVIEWED. Referring to the marketing scheme, at the annual meeting of the Stratford Farmers' Co-operative Association yesterday, Mr. Ranl'ord (the chairman-) said that briefly the position was tiiat the National Dairy Association proposed amalgamation with the Co-operative Wholesale Society of Great 'Britain for the purpose of marketing dairy produce, instead of using Tooley Street agents as had been the custom in the past. The C.W.S. undertook to find half the necessary finance, in return for which they were to receive, half of what would be saved in commissions. The C.W.S. was in no way to have any option over the produce, but was to be on a parity with other buyers. While the directors, added Mr. Ranford, were most certainly favorable to marketing their own produce, if it w.-.s possible to do so profitably, they had decided that it would be unwise io participate in the X.D.A. scheme at the present juncture, ahd had decided to keep to the old channels for the coming season.

I Referring to ■ the prospects for the coming season, Mr. Ranford stated that I the position, so far as the market was concerned, was still undecided, and the indications were that control of some | sort would be exercised. The question one most frequently met with was: What are you going to make this season, butter or cheese? He could only say that so far as the company was concei.ied they were in an excellent position, for, if at any time it became apparent that butter was a better proposition than cheese, the Whole of the company could turn to butter at a few hours' notice. He certainly thought • that the" outlook for both butter and cheese for the coming season was good, but present indications pointed to cheese being the better proposition. The Dominion Butter Committee had liad no definite offer from the Imperik-1 Government so far, but the impression seemed "fo he abroad that farmers would receive 2s 3d a lb for their butter-fat manufactured into butter this coming season. The committee had no power to make a sale, their instructions being to demand a free market, failing which, and in the event of an offer to purchase being made by the Imperial Government, the matter had to be referred back to the factories. But supposing a wile was made and butter did make -equal to 2s 3d per lb butter-fat, he would still say that everything pointed to cheese being better than butter. He assured the meeting that if those branches of the Stratford Company at present making cjieese continued to make cheese, the directors would have felt reasonably certain that cheese was a better proposition than butter. DISCUSSION AT MIDHIRST. The C.W.S. scheme was also referred to at the annual meeting of the Midhirst Dairy Company yesterday, Mr. 11. D. l'oisyth briefly addressing the meeting on the lines of his remarks elsewhere. He said that tlie proposal was a good one, and provided the best opportunity they had ever had, or ever,would have, of establishing their own co-operative floor, they should grasp it white it was presented. Mr. Somers asked whether the Government would ship their produce if tliey sold to the C.W.S., as questions had been asked in the House. Mr. Forsvth said the consumer wanted the produce. He poiftted out that Tooley Street had representatives in the House. ,H'e did not think anything the producers might do in the direction indicated would interfere with the shipment of their produce. Mr. Linnell asked if Mr. Forsyth had come across any indication- of the antagonism that existed between the cooperative concerns and other traders at Home. If that was so, would not the producers bo boycotted by other traders after they had had dealings with the C.W.S.?

Mr. Forsyth said that the C.W.S. was too strong to be hurt By any outside "influence, and he did not think there was anything to be feared in this direction.

A supplier said that this antagonism showed tEat the C.W.S. was doing them some good. On the motion of the chairman, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Forsyth. In returning thanks! Mr. Forsyth said that when butter had a free market a representative of the company would come round and discuss the matter with them. If there was any better scheme brought forward, lie could assure them it would have every consideration, as they were out to do their best in the interest of the industry.