WELLINGTON FARMERS' MEAT COMPANY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 979, 24 February 1910, Page 5

WELLINGTON FARMERS' MEAT COMPANY.

THE. SITE QUESTION CROPS UP AGAIN.

INTERVIEW WITH MR J. C,

COOPER

A LUCID STATEMENT OF THE

POSH lON.

A' few days ago certain statements were made in some cf the Wellington newspapers in regard to the new Wellington Farmers' Meat Company, the details of which have aroused some discussion among farmers. One of the statements referred to, and which appeared in the "Dominion" is as follows:

" The selection of Waingawa, rear Maaierton, as the site for freezing works in connection with the newlyf owned Wellington Farmers' Cooperative Meat Company has not given general satisfaction to promoters of the scheme. Mr F. T.' Moore, of Johnsonville, was recently approached by some of the farmers, who did not appnve the choice, and asked to urge upon those connected with the company the desirableness , of altering the site to Wellington. Mr Moore, who returned yesterday from a tour of tie districts concerned, states that a new suggestion is now being put forward. This is that the farmers of the Dominion, as represen ted in the first place by their unions, shall combine to raise capital to take over the whole of the freezing worKa of New Zealand, and run the whole industry as a co-operative con.cern, marketing their produce on a larye scale and saving middleman's profits. The idea was first suggested, in a vague form, at the recent Union Conference at Christchur.-!i, and has been developed by the Hastings branch of the union. The suggested capital is two million pounds. Mr Moore states that he has met farmers who are wiNine, individually, to invest sums of £SOO to £I,OOO in such a profit, should it appear practicable.

Thii suggestion has been made that the Wellington Farmers' Mnat Company should be wound up, and that the ambitious scheme outlined should be attempted in its place. Requisitions have been signed asking / the directors of the company to call a general meeting to discuss the position. A great many farmers connected with the company believe, according t.j Mr Moore that if successful operations are to be. carried on, either the works must be establisned nnar the city or this Duminion scheme must be adopted." Yesterday afternoon Mr J. C. Cooper, Managing Director of the Wellington Farmers' Co-operative Mart Company, who was in Masterton, questioned by a representative of the Wairarapa Age in regard to the statements. "Has a requisition been received by you in regard to re-opening the site question," queried the reporter. "sTes," replied Mr Cooped with a smile, "but as a matter of fact there are no settlers in the South Wairarapa who have signed the requisition, who, so far as we are aware, want the works to be erected in Wellington." Mr Cooper then produced the requisition, dated February 10th, which signed by twenty-seven shareholders in the Lower Valley and ten in Pahiatua

"Now," said Mr Cooper, "the number of shareholders on th<s B list is 289, and on the A list (ordinary shares) ,522. With this total of 800 on the two lists there are at least 600 who are directly interested in the Waingawa site, either in Masterton or its direct vicinity. When this matter was previously decided the shareholders supported the recommendation of the directors in favour of the Waingawa site by 160 to 22. If the matter was again to be dealt with it would only mean that this majority would be vastly increased. The requisitionists are not unanimous on any site themselves, and as an instance it is a curious fact that some of tbe Pahiatua signatories are in favour of Longbush, and others Foxtori, and others again are in favour of Wellington, whilst the South Wairarapa list contains the names of those who favour Fernside and some Pigeon Bush. Further discussion is useless, and as far as the directors are concerned they do not intend to be influenced by agitators. We have got a mandate from the shareholders, which we intend to act on, and in fact we are doing so. One of the shareholders, who signed the requisition, and who by the way is one of our largest shareholders, has since expresaed regret at having signed the list, and asked me to take no notice of bis signature. In any case the requisition is not in order, and cannot be dealt with as it does not comply with article 36,aud the requisitionists have already been advised to that effect. The communication, however, will be dealt with at thfc next meeting of the directors. The site question cannot be again opened, and I would further point out that £12,000 of the company's capital has been placed on the distinct understanding that the site for the works is fixed at Waingawa. It is questionable even if a majoirty ot the shareholders could shift the site.

"What about the remarks reported to have been made by Mr Moore?" asked tbe pressman. "I have seen," replied Mr Cooper, "several statements made by a certain Mr Moore which have appeared in the Wellington press. I presume he is tt}£ same gentleman who has written a number of letters to me wanting me to meet him to discuss some matters with regard to which I have no knowledge. The statements in the paper in regard to our companyare absolutely without foundation. As to the "Dominion" scheme of amalgamation, I know nothing of it. It appears to be more or less of a visionary character, probably as much so as the statements of the suggested winding up of our company by tbe same gentleman."

1 "Are there any further developments in connection with the affairs of the company, apart from the present controversy," asked the reporter. "In regard to the tenders," stated the Managing Director, "I should like to say that they were to have closed on the 28th February, but at the request of a few of the tenderers we have agreed to extend the closing time until Friday, March 4th. If a tender is at all in keeping with the estimate ©f the company's engineer the contract for the erection of th<> j works at Wningawf be put i.i \ hand immediate!'.