THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 1913. THE FARMERS MEAT COMPANY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 7 August 1913, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. THURSDAY, AUGUST 7, 1913. THE FARMERS MEAT COMPANY.

The shareholders of the Wellington Farmers' Meat Company are to be congratulated upon the splendid position in whioh they find themselves at the ©ad of a season which, was rej markable for its uncertainty on account of the industrial and other troubles that were encountered. The statement .made by the Managing Di--reotor (Mr J. O. Oooper) at yesterday's meeting was most encouraging, as was also that of Mr Hugh Morrison, a member of the Directorate. In view of all the circumstances, the Directors have a right to claim that their attitude in respect to the labour trouble was a proper one. There is reason to think tihat, had not the Company conceded some of the demands of the men, the works would have been closed for an indefinite period, and the future of the Company would have ibeen seriously jeopardised. iMore than that, the loss to the farmers of the district would have been enormous. However, it is satisfactory to know that the difficulty has been overcome, and although there may have been differences of opinion between the differ-, ent companies concerning the best methods of facing the situation, the Directors of the Wellington Farmers' Meat Company cannot be accused of doing other than -what they considered at the time to be the very best in the interests of the shareholders and of the farmers of the district. One of the most gratifying announcements made by the Chairman yesterday was that the slaughtermen employed at the works bad voluntarily offered to accept a new agreement for

the coming season, fixing their pay at the same rate as that which is ing paid by other oo*npanies, viz., 27s 6d per hundred. This shows that the relations between the management and the workers are most cordial, and while thia remains so, the future of the Company is assured. Mr John Hunter may hare considered himself justified in criticising the management of the Company, more particularly in regard to the holding of large drafts of sheep at the works. Nobody, however, who knows the difficulties that were encountered, will attach the slightest importance to hia assertion that the management has been'defective. The fact of the matter is that sheep were rushed to th® works for special reasons, and the manner in whiah this rush was dealt with reflected the very highest credit upon the management. If there waa any depreciation in the stock through its being held for several days, the responsibility rested more largely with the farmere themselves than with the management. The pessimistic statenenE of Mr Hunter that unless there is a change in the management the Company will be in the melting-pot in two years, is absolutely absurd. The Company was never in a stronger position than it is today, and the fact that the Directors can declare a dividend of six per cent., after making important additions to the works and setting aside a substantial su:n for a reserve, speaks volumes for .the management. Some of the supplying shareholders present questioned the wisdom of declaring a dividend!. It orast bo remembered, however, that a considerable portion of Company's capital was subscribed by townspeople, who derive little benefit from the works, and these Are entitled to consideration. It would, of course, be a very desirable thing for supplying shareholders to follow the example set by the Board of Directors, and invest their dividends in new shares. Viewing the operations of the Company for the past year as a whole, we cannot help thinking that they have been eminently successful. The Company has been a boon to the settlers and the tradesmen of the townships in the Wairarapa. It has overcome all the initial difficulties of establishment. It has secured for its output a splendid reputation on the Hox« market, and it bids fair to become an institution of which the Dominion and the district will' feel proud. We congratulate the Managing • Director (Mr J. C. Cooper) upon the happy issue of a year that has been full of anxiety, and his colleagues and the shareholders upon the magnificent success that has attended*' v the Company's operations. The fact that further extension is proposed ia evidence of the confidence of the .Directors in the future of the district, and of the important industry that has developed in our rmidst.