NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE DISTRIBUTING COMPANY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8324, 4 January 1907, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE DISTRIBUTING COMPANY.

•general meeting of shareholders. The third annual meeting of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Distributing Company was held at Wellington, on December 27th, and •was well attended. The Chairman (Mr James G. Wilson), in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, stated that during the year the business had been .of a satisfactory character. 1 The earning power of the Company's business had been materially increased while the expenditure showed a decrease, as compared to previous years. It was generally conceded that the true object of a trading concern of this nature was not the mere paying of dividends to share-, holders. Its sphere of usefulness was far wider in scope, and the producers had reaped considerable in--direct benefits from the institution •of the Company, besides the reduction in the commission rates of fully £5,000 per annum. He was pleased to announce that the business would, shortly be removed to a new threestoried building now being erected in Allen Street, contiguous to the other fruit markets. This would give a . great impetus to the business, and a progressive programme had been arranged for during the coming year. Mr H. J. Richards seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. The retiring directors, Messrs J. Balsillie, H. Bashford and A. J. Hobbs were re-elected unopposed. Mr D. A. S. Cowper, F.1.A.N.Z., was re-elected as auditor. In seconding a vote of thanks to the staff, Mr F. Westbury, a" leading grower of the Hutt district, paid a high tribute to the efforts of the manager and staff for their untiring courtesy and attention to the Company's business. He stated that he was in a position to prove that the Company had hitherto realised prices for produce quite a high as those obtained by any other firm in the city, and he could produce files of account sales to substantiate this statement. .Ha was confident that once the business was established in the building, large additional support would be forthcoming, and increased returns would be secured to the Company's suppliers. The manager, Mr A. Leigh-Hunt, in acknowledging the vote of thanks ■•on behalf of the staff, stated that representatives of the Company were to be sent to all the producing districts, including Nelson, Motueka, Hawke's Bay, Auckland and Sydney, and steps were being taken to obtain regular consignments of Island produce. Producers had now a great opportunity to build up a large and prosperous concern, as had tieen done in other parts of the colony. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman and the Directors for their unselfish labours in the interests of producers generally. Other formal business closed an en- . thusiastic and successful meeting.