BUTTER PRODUCTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 September 1943, Page 4

BUTTER PRODUCTION

MASTERTON DAIRY COMPANY annual meeting. EFFECT OF DltY SEASON. The annual meeting of the Masterton Co-operative Dairy Company was held this morning. The chairman of dnectors Mr W. H. Harcombe, presided. Reference to the death of the former chairman, Mr J. C. Ewington, was made by Mr Harcombe, and a resolution was passed expressing sympathy with Mr Ewington’s relatives. His death, he said, was.a loss to the industry. _ i Mrs A. C. Gawith spoke on the work of the International Red Cross and thanked those present for their support. The effect of the dry season on production was referred to by Mr Harcombe, who said that the decline m production would slightly affect the payout. The failure of suppliers to return from cheese to butter was also responsible for the decrease. In 1936, 1200 tons of butter was produced against 690 tons last year. Mr A. Keir said that considering the season the company’s affairs had been well conducted, tie raised the question of whether it was economic for the company to collect its own cream instead of using the services of the Transport Company. Mr Harcombe said it was more economic for the company to run its own collecting lorries. Mr Keir referred to the Transport Company as being a monopoly without opposition. buying out fund. A discussion took place on the company’s policy of buying* out dry shareholders and a resolution was passed that the money collected from shareholders for shares issued be put into a special account to be used for buying out dry shareholders. Referring to the price paid for cream in the winter months, Mr Harcombe said the directors had gone into the matter and said that the best that could be done would be to pay first grade rates as from August 15. A motion was passed that no chairman should hold office for more than three consecutive years. A resolution was passed that the company’s books be closed at the end of May and that the annual meeting be held before August 15; the meeting to be held at 1 p.m. instead of 10.30 a.m. as in the past. A vote of thanks was accorded the staff, for which the secretary, Mr C. C. Van Praagh, returned thanks. Appreciative reference was also made to the services of the chairman and the directors.

Mr H. A. Templer, manager of the Bank of New South Wales, congratulated the company on having come successfully through a difficult year.