THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 372, 26 November 1898, Page 3

THE DAIRYING INDUSTRY.

PIRONGIA. Mr Weslky Spbagg met the milk suppliers of the Pirongia Creamery, in our Public Library, on Thursday morning. Mr W. H. Grant was called to the chair, and in a brief speech, introduced Mr Sprang to the suppliers, 25 being present. Mr W. H. James, one of the delegates appointed to the Waikato Union, at ouce rose and asked through the Chairman, if Mr Spragg could afford lime to answer any questions that might be put to him. Mr Spragg expressed himself as quite willing and anxious to answer any questions put to him from any one of his milk suppliers, as he was always anxious to deal with them on fair and amicable terms. He then addressed the meeting for nearly two hours, in similar words that he addressed the Hamilton meeting, and which has already been reported in the Argus. In reply to Mr W. H. James, Mr Spragg said it was quite a misunderstanding with him and the union that he could recognise Mr 11. R. Hunt. He was not going to have his claim jumped by an interloper. Ke had not been consulted by the union in regard to the rules under which he was proposed to be bound. They had not the courtesy to ask his consent to he bound by them up to that moment. No one should say "you shall" to him. If the suppliers wished it, with them alone he would consult as to co-operation, but if they were to be robbed by any one, who like a bird on a perch watched for a worm, and would swoop down on it, he would have nothing to do with it. If they wers to be robbed he would prefer to do it himself. Several other questions were asked, but Mr Spragg made it quite clear that he would not come under any rules of a union in the making of which he had not been consulted. He had come to stay in the Waikato, aud hoped that by meeting together occasionally all friction would be removed. He did not deny they had done well last season, and he intended to give £2OOO as a bonus to the suppliers this year, and this was not done as a bribe, he had intended it when he went to England and the inteutiou was on record. Mr Spragg explained several of the balance-sheets of various factories, and by them explained that the Waikato suppliers had little to complain of in the price paid for their milk. After a long discussion Mr W. H. Bell proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Spragg for hia attendance, seconded by Mr E. Auhin and carried unanimously. PATERANGI. A meeting of milk suppliers was held here on Wednesday afternoon, to hear Mr Spragg. Mr Robert Kay in the chair. With one exception, all suppliers were presentMr Spragg gave the meeting a large amount of figures, showing the working at a number of factoriei in Tarauaki and Canterbury, and compared them with his own ; but as these have already been published in The Waikato Argus, I will not give them. He then referred to the penalty clauses in the agreement, stating that in 10 years they had been enforced on one occasion and explained the rea?on. He next referred to the Union and his reason for not wishing to acknowledge it, and this was on account of one of the rules which says each milk supplier joining the Union shall do this. He was not going to be a- party r,o placing a rope around any one, and held he was always willing to meet the Union, and would have done so had the rules been different. He had never been consulted with regard to these, aud held the Union had hardly been courteous to him in wishing to turn him out; but as the delegates had exceeded their duties, he would tell the meeting that he would remain in Waikato. He also stated he would pay £2OOO in bonuses this year over and above his published offer. The delegates (Messrs Ryburn and Finch) maintained they had not exceeded their duties, and both asked tke meeting as to the nature of these. When the meeting admitted that they were sent to form a Union with the object of getting better prices from Mr Spragg or do the best they could for the suppliers. After further defending their action, the delegates stated that the Union had come to remain. Mr Spragg received a unanimous vote of thanks for his attendance and address. In returning thanks, Mr Spragg said he would continue as heretofore, and would receive milk from any one wishing to supply ; but if any one wished to withdraw, the full amount would be paid for all milk delivered. It was announced that Mr Hunt would visit the district and explain Union matters more fully.—(Own Correspondent). PUKERIMU. A well-atteuded meeting of milk suppliers was held at the creamery on Thursday morning, when 15 suppliers were present out of a total of 17Mr R. Freeman was voted to the chair, and called on the delegates to give an account of the business for which they had been elected to represent this creamery at the Waikato Milk Suppliers Union meetings. Mr John Fisher gave a history of events as already published, and asked the reason for the suppliers passing what practically amounted to a no-confidence motion at a meeting held last week with Mr Spragg. Mr J. Gane also spoke, and referred to the benefits of union aud co-operation on general principles. He also excused largely the action of his fellow suppliers on account of the small amount of information, which they had been able to avail themselves of regarding the details of the business changes which it had been proposed to" make in connection with Waikato creameries.

The Chairman explained what had taken place at the meeting last week, and said the astion had arisen through want of knowledge of what was proposed to be done and not from any want of confidence in their delegates. Mr Alex. Jones considered their vote was more on the Hoes of Mr Spragg continuing the business for this season than of want of confidence in their delegates. Mr Cowley, who had moved the motion at last week's meeting, said he did so under the apprehension that their delegates had deserted them, and was astonished to find a man like Mr Fisher did not turn up when Mr Spragg was on hand.

Mr Fisher replied that being at the time in Auckland and knowing nothing of when such a meeting was to come off, his non-appearance was not the result of fear of contact.

Mr Gane replied that he also was in Auckland and so missed the Pukerimu meeting, but lie took the opportunity to meet Mr Spragg at the Ohaupo meeting. There was nothing to shirk or to feel ashamed of iu connection with the matters now under discussion.

Mr Sturges referred to the satisfactory way in which Mr Spragg had conducted the dairy industry in Waikato, and contended that, as Mr Spragg was not in the colony when the Union was formed, he should have been supplied with full information and details of the proposed change. Several other speakers also gave their views, after which the following motion was moved by Mr Wm, Scott, seconded by Mr Cubis and unanimously agreed to :—" That, having heard the explanations and statements of our delegates, this meeting tenders its thanks to them for their efforts, and approves the actions taken by the general meeting of delegates at Hamilton in dealing with the various questions that have arisen re the Waikato Milk Suppliers' Union and the manager of the New Zealand Dairy Association."

A further motion was proposed by MiAndrew Wallace, seconded by Mr

Sturges, as f. Hows ;—" That this meetiiiL' affirms the necessity for unity among country settlers aii'l— convinced that cooperation will crentuaily prove the iouuclation on which the dairying industry in W;.ikato must stand—recommends a staunch adheienue to the Waikato MilK Supplieis'Uuim and advi-e-i such modirica i n of the rules as may seem desirable in me inteieots ot tanners.''

After due consideration, this was put to the mettmj> mid carried unanimously. Mr Sturges stated that he had an idea of his own regarding the milk question, and would he prepare! to ventilate it at some furtuie tune ; he deprecated haste. This was all the business.

The following telegram has been received in Te Aroha from Mr Spragg : " Have re-considered and consider it, my duty to cancel engagements forthwith in Te Aroha."