MR. J. G. HARKNESS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1921, Page 7

MR. J. G. HARKNESS.

SERVICES TO DAIRY INDUSTRY. PRESENTATION FROM N.D.A. Mr, J. G. Harkness, who is retiring from the position of secretary to the National Dairy Association, was presented by the members of the association at the annual meeting at Palmerston North on Tuesday with an illuminated address and a substantial cheque representing subscriptions from the various dairy companies within the association. Mr. A. Alorton, in making the presentation, referred to Mr. Harkness as their worthy secretary and valuable friend. Mr. Harkness had been associated as far back as he could remember with the dairy industry and both he and Mr. Harkness had been intimately connected with the first co-operative dairy factory in Taranaki in 1895. Mr. Harkness had been connected with Midhirst and he himself with Mangorei. Ever since they had been coming into touch with each other on matters pertaining to the dairying industry. Most of the companies were formed in Taranaki in 1895 or 1896. In the first year or two after that there was a move in North Taranaki which led to the formation of the North Taranaki Dairy Association. Mr, Harkness was the first president of that association. Later on he took up a position with the Midhirst Dairy Company, becoming first manager and then secretary. Later he became a member of the National Dairy Association, then president, and in 1904 he became secretary, a position he continued to fill at that time. Mr. Harkness had served them very faithfully indeed, and there were few men to whom nature had granted the vigor, fire and strength of purpose which he held, and which it was hoped would continue to hold when bls' relationship with the association ended. He asked Mr. Harkness to accept as a token of their good wishes and as an earnest expression of what they felt towards him the address and a cheque. -Mr. Morton then read a letter from follows: “To Joseph George Harkness, Esq., Wellington. Dear Sir, —On the occasion of your retirement from the position of secretary of the Dairy Association of New Zealand, Ltd., we desire to express to you our sincere appreciation of the great service you have rendered to the dairying industry during the very many years of your connection with it. Your thorough knowledge of every condition in regard to the industry, your earnest zeal in the cause of co-operation, your sincere desire to at all times and in every way possible advance the interests of the dairy farmer, co-operative factory and the larger combinations which have now become an essential part of the industry, together with your sound commercial qualities, have combined to make your services of especial value. Your valuable advice and practical assistance have always been available to those who sought it and the industry is deeply indebted to you for the ready help which you have always given. We feel sure that although your active connection with the industry as a whole is now terminated you will still continue to be keenly interested in its progress and advancement, and your wise counsel will not be withheld from it.

“We sincerely hope that you may have a long continuance of good health and with Mrs. Harkness may enjoy the rest which you have so honorably earned.” Mr .Morton then read a letter from the directors to Mr. Harkness in which the latter was referred to as their guide, philosopher and friend. (Applause). In his reply Mr. Harkness dealt with the fcarly history of the association. Mr. Harkness said the first meeting was held in Wellington in August, 1897, and he was a delegate from the Taranaki district. It was at that meeting the memorandum and articles of association were passed, and so well had the work been done that they had only been amended in five small particulars since that date. Of those who were present on that occasion only two were in the room that day—Mr. Fisher and himself. The memorandum and articles of association were adopted on October 13, 1897, and the association was incorporated on December 23 of the same year. He was appointed a member of the executive on February 1, 1899, and became president on August 3of that year. In 1903, after he had been president for four years, he was asked to take up the secretaryship by Mr. Bradshaw Dive, which he did not August 1, 1903. The reason given by Mr. Dive for his request was characteristic. He said: “Harkness, you are the only man in the business who will stick to the job.” For the nine years previous to this they had eight secretaries. (Laughter). Two had each remained four months, one ten months, two for a year each, one Settled down for two years, and one did good work during three and a half years. In passing he wished to pay a tribute to two men, one of whom he believed had passed away. These were Messrs. G. R. Foreman and P. Ralfe, who were men of keen insight and an appreciation of what the industry meant to the country. When Mr. Ralfe retired he recognised that he had to follow in the footsteps of a good man. He had seen many striking and remarkable changes during the time he had been secretary. At first there were only five directors and now there were nine. The first meeting was held in two small rooms in a Government office. In 1903 they had 71 members, but to-day they had 290. Their capital when he took office was £Bl and the furniture was valued at £23. He did not think it was worth quite so much. This left him with a working capital of £5B, so that there was need for some fairly bold finance. It needed a stout heart to go into the business at that time. To-day their capital was £32,054. The accounts owing to them when he tqok office totalled £500; to-day they totalled £45. He had always had faith in the dairying industry, and he was proud of the association. Referring to the importance of the dairying industry, Mr. Harkness said that in 1903 the value of the butter exported was £1,268,759, and of cheese' £181,604, making a total of C 1.450,000. Last year the figures were: Jutter £6,104*,000, and cheese £6,514,000, making a total of £12,700,000. lie had been laughed at some years ago when he had said that the time would come when the dairy produce of the Dominion would be worth £10,000,000, but this year he believed it was. worth between £15,000,000 and £16,000,000. Great as the wool and meat industries were, they did not give the regular returns month bv month that they had from dairying. ’ A wool-grower received £2OOO or £2500 in one sum. A voice: “How much?” (Laughter). Mr. Harkness: J am taking a suppostitious case. A man who uis returns in one sum was not likely to

expend it with the same care and with the same advantage to tfie country as the man who received his money in regular monthly amounts. In view of the value of the dairying industry to the. country the Government, should look after it and not tax it.