Nineteen New Face and New Place 1930

CHAPTER NINETEEN

New Face and New Place

Sixteen years had now passed, with the nerve centre of Farmers’ Co-op still operating from the Winter Show Company’s premises in Princes Street, Hawera. Although the situation had been very desirable, as the years passed the premises fell short of the Society’s expanding requirements and a number of departments were located elsewhere in the town. Although relationships with the Winter Show Company had always been extremely cordial, correspondence from them in April 1930 in connection with a request from the Society to make certain alterations and acquire additional premises was read to the board of directors and ‘considered very unsatisfactory’. This prompted the establishment of a ‘building committee’, consisting of Messrs Hunter, Dickie, the general manager and assistant general manager, to ‘wait upon the Winter Show Committee with a final proposition’ and ‘if they do not agree thereto, Messrs Duffill & Gibson be instructed to draw up plans, specifications and estimates of cost for offices to be erected on the spare portion of the present garage site to present to the next meeting as a definite proposition’.

The time had arrived for some major decisions to be made concerning the future location of Farmers’ Co-op’s head office and other departments. The motor department in Princes Street was very satisfactory and provided a first-class facility. However, some drastic reorganisation of the Society’s other commercial outlets in Hawera with the expanding retail and stock and station department was needed. The long and trusted relationship with the Winter Show Company was not one that they would relinquish without exploring every possibility, and consequently efforts were made to adapt as best they could with the space belonging to the Society and, if necessary, secure a portion of Mrs Barton’s property or Mr Nairn’s. The general manager was instructed to arrange for plans, specifications and estimates and bring them back

Nolan’s Buildings, Corner High and Regent Streets, Hawera, 14 February 1932 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Borough of Hawera. The building became Head Office of Farmers’ Co-op and later Allied Farmers Ltd from 1934–99.

COURTESY OF ARTHUR FRYER

to the board at the next meeting. This decision prompted the Taranaki Winter Show Company to offer an extension of the lease indefinitely, subject to the Society giving six months’ notice. They also offered the Society a 24-feet extension of the present structure in the main hall at an additional rent of 30/- per week with the proviso that should the Society make alterations, they would leave the building in the same condition as it was found. Negotiations in connection with the adjacent Barton property broke down and a resolution was made to recommend extending the present premises in the area provided by the Winter Show Company or build entirely new premises. The discussion concerning head office accommodation continued for some months, with one or two directors clearly against altering the present premises. However, finally the alterations were approved subject to ‘the flashing being fixed so that the walls would be dry’, and the work was eventually completed.

A 12-month ‘Calendar of Stock Sales 1930’, including all annual sheep and cattle fairs, horse sales and annual bull fairs, wool sales at Wanganui and other special sales, with a schedule of Farmers’ Co-op agents available to receive entries for the various stock sales and purchase of stock for private sales, was made available to all shareholders:

AUCTIONEERS:

C. G. TROTTER, ‘phone 2561 Hawera H. F. WOOFFINDIN, ‘phone 2590 Hawera P. G. BUDD, ‘phone 998 New Plymouth H. SLATER, ‘phone 2325 Hawera

STOCK AGENTS:

(Private Telephone Numbers) ASHTON, Geo. W. ‘phone 2493, Hawera POWDRELL, G. W. ‘phone 465, Hawera TURNER, W. H. ‘phone 30J, Ohura BARR-BROWN, Geo. ‘phone 90, Opunake LINN, Hy. ‘phone 491M , New Plymouth SCHMIDT, A. C. ‘phone 257, New Plymouth PARTRIDGE, F. G. ‘phone 72, Inglewood ELTHAM AGENT, ‘phone 96, Eltham SHEWRY, J. E. ‘phone 11M, Kohuratahi McWILLIAM. F. R. ‘phone 167, Waverley FARQUHARSON, W. B. ‘phone 167, Stratford HARTE, John, ‘phone 10A, Rahotu McCULLOUGH, E. W. ‘phone 767, Stratford MANAIA AGENT, ‘phone 127, Manaia

PRODUCE AGENTS:

WALDEN, C. J. ‘phone 2354, Hawera JEFCOATE, C. F. R. Kaponga COURT, G. F. ‘phone 506, Stratford EVANS, V. New Plymouth FITZGERALD, J. E. Waitara

LAND AGENTS:

YOUNG, W. H. H. ‘phone 562, Stratford MASON, E. L. ‘phone 1303, New Plymouth EVANS, F. A. ‘phone 2675, Hawera

Minutes reveal that the ‘watch’ was changed at the top almost without notice, when at the conclusion of a directors’ meeting at the County Chambers on 28 October 1930:

Chairman Alex Hunter in a few well chosen words, on behalf of the board, presented to Mr Hewitt a silver tea service in recognition of the services he had rendered to the company, and also as a token of the goodwill and esteem in which he was held by the directors. Mr Hewitt suitably responded.

The board had gone into committee a number of times in recent months to discuss the appointment of a new general manager. There was no fanfare as the change of guard took place. Clem Trotter assumed the mantle of general manager and Mr W. A. Hewitt became the Society’s inspector and second in command. With the swap in roles the partnership between the two executives continued without any noticeable reorganisation. However, for the times that lay ahead it was an inspired decision that would prove to be of huge significance to the organisation, which despite the economic outlook would quicken the pace and make considerable headway in the quest to strengthen its hold within the province. As growth occurred, so did administrative and accommodation requirements.

Early in 1931 and the board had before them an offer of the ‘Nolan’s Estate Property’, a large two-storey building on the corner of High and Regent Streets, designed by Mr J. A. Duffill, and constructed in 1902. The offer included the block from Purser’s Tobacconist shop in High Street to George & Doughty’s and the motor garage in Regent Street. It also included two sections in Riddiford Street, at the rear, ‘for which a sum of £36,000’ was asked. An alternative offer to the Society included George & Doughty’s building at a rental of £500 per annum for ten years, the Estate undertaking to make the premises suitable by additions and alterations estimated at a cost of £5,000. This attractive property, close to the Society’s large motor department, was considered most desirable. Housing all departments under one roof would save a lot on administration, with the added advantage of having the produce department in the centre of town. However, the Society determined it was uneconomical to proceed with the purchase and as well to decline the purchase of the Nolan Estate Property. Instead Clem Trotter was empowered to negotiate a lease of the George & Doughty premises. This position, at 27 October 1931, remained until 24 January 1933 when the general manager reported that a wire had been received from Mr Nolan regarding the property and that a lease would be considered. Apparently Mr Morrissey, the previous lessor, had been paying £500 per annum and rates, but was receiving rents from the front shops which nearly offset the amount. It was considered that this building would provide the Society with suitable offices and warehouse space for many years to come.

Mr Duffill from Duffill and Gibson, architects in Hawera, was instructed to draw plans and provide estimates for alterations and additions in connection with two premises. One was the ‘Collins building’, adjacent to the Central Mart building and occupied by McGruer Bone & Co. as a showroom on Union Street and the other the High Street/Regent Street proposition of the ‘Nolan’s Estate Property’. Both plans were submitted and approved. The selection of one of the two sites was left in the hands of the executive. Over three years had elapsed since the idea of first moving from the Winter Show Buildings in Princes Street but Farmers’ Co-op was in it for the long haul and any major change to the location and servicing facility had to be carefully considered taking into account the rapidly changing methods of conducting business. At last, on 24 June 1933, Clem Trotter advised the board that the committee appointed to select a site had chosen to lease the Regent Street, premises of the Nolan Estate property, where it would establish office and shop accommodation.

The terms were for a 12-year lease with the right of renewal for a further nine years, rental for the first ten years £6.10s.0d. per week, at the end of which period the rent to be revised, with a minimum of £6.10s.0d. and a maximum of £8.0s.0d. for the remaining two years of the 12-year period. The Estate agreed to expend up to £3,500 on alterations and additions, which was the amount the architects estimated to cover the work on the approved plan. The Society had a right of purchase within the first five years of occupation. By October 1933 all necessary improvements to the building had been made and included a gas central-heating system installed by the Estate. It

was estimated that the Society would occupy the new premises at the end of March 1934. The six months notice of any termination with the Winter Show Company had already been advised. The precise date of occupation of the Regent Street, Hawera premises is unknown but the board meeting scheduled to be held in April 1934 was cancelled and it appears that the company moved into its new situation during that month. Board meetings previously held in the County Council Chambers, Princes Street were forthwith transferred to the Society’s boardroom in Nolan’s Buildings, Regent Street, Hawera, the first on Saturday 30 June 1934 at 9:30am. This move marked a new era for The Farmers’ Co-operative Organisation Society of New Zealand Limited and it would stand them in good stead throughout the remainder of the 20th century.

An opportunity to purchase the land and buildings occupied by the offices and produce department came up for consideration in 1939. The board now again investigated the possibility of purchasing all the properties owned by the Nolan Estate in Regent and High Streets, adjacent to the Society’s premises. The option to purchase would lapse within a month. The whole block was under offer for £36,000. Meetings were held with Mr V. Nolan and representatives of the Guardian Trust in Auckland and a substantial reduction in price was agreed to subject to the approval of the beneficiaries. It was eventually resolved, on 30 May 1939, to form a subsidiary company to purchase the Nolan Estate property with a capital investment of £11,000.

Atime of change and turbulence both at home and abroad would bring new challenges to the Society’s board of directors as the economic downturn which started in 1929 affected almost every corner of the developed world, particularly North America and Europe. In most industrialised countries and those that produced raw materials, unemployment and homelessness soared. Construction was virtually halted in many countries. Farmers and rural communities suffered as prices for crops fell by 40 to 60 per cent. The cause, which has been debated at length over the years, was said by some to be triggered by the Wall Street crash of 1929 and others claimed that the cost of World War I had weakened the ability of the world to respond to a major economic crisis. Whatever the case, it had a huge impact on New Zealand’s economy and trade. The Great Depression, as it became known, was to continue throughout the 1930s, and for thousands of New Zealanders was a time of enormous stress, hunger and despair. Many families reflected the difficulties and hardships of those times for the rest of the century.

The Society was determined to maintain and expand operations, with tenders being called for alterations to the Inglewood premises. Two tenders were received, from F. Ward, for £127.10s.0d., and from N. King, Inglewood for £159.14s.0d. Ward’s tender was accepted. Even though consideration was given relating to the advisability of ‘getting rid of the motor business and garages’, it was left to the executive committee to deal with the matter and no changes were made. Plans and specifications were also prepared for premises to house the Stratford branch grocery, produce, machinery and car sales departments (including bowsers) and £4,000 was approved to build premises ‘along Regan and Miranda Streets, so arranged that they could be efficiently supervised by as small a staff as possible’. At the same time a lucrative agency arrangement was formed with Andrew Clement & Sons Ltd, produce importers of London, for the South Taranaki District taking in the territory north of Hawera to the Eltham–Opunake Road to Opunake, excluding the Eltham Dairy Company, including South of Hawera to Waverley or Kai Iwi. The agency was originally offered personally to Mr Trotter, but he succeeded in having it transferred to the Society subject to him personally supervising the arrangement. The arrangement would allow the Society one-half of one per cent on all sales of butter and/or cheese secured in the district, guaranteeing a minimum of £1,000 for the first year, commencing 1 June 1930. Already 1,200 tons of cheese had been promised, with the prospect of a further 300 tons. Directors were encouraged to actively support the agency. Mr Trotter was praised for his loyalty to Farmers’ Co-op when he could have secured the agency for himself.

Gainful employment was still, in the main, a man’s world, and staff who kept their jobs took

Broadway, Stratford. (Photographer unknown.)

COURTESY OF COLLECTION PUKI ARIKI. PHO2009-169

cuts in salaries or wages. Despite this, many businesses still struggled to survive or were forced to close. Farmers unable to keep up mortgage payments walked off farms, with devastating impacts on rural servicing enterprises. Many people lost their jobs and men had to work for a pittance on schemes for the unemployed. Farmers’ Co-op staff numbered 149 at this time. Reducing overheads was the only way to combat drastically lower returns and trading hardened off as the slump began to take effect. The question was raised at board level by Mr Wickham as to whether a reduction of staff salaries had been considered. The matter was then generally discussed. The general manager, Clem Trotter, considered that, in the meantime greater benefits would result to the company if the whole-hearted support of the staff could be obtained in securing reductions in the general overhead of the company than reductions in salaries and he suggested that together with the chairman he should address the staff at various centres, pointing out the general conditions of trade and seeking their assistance in the elimination of waste and greater effort on the part of every individual in the furthering of the interests of the company, and if the desired results could not be obtained in this way then reductions in salaries would have to be effected. He also pointed out that 41 of the total staff of 149 were working under award wages and it seemed rather unfair that others who were working equally hard should have to stand a reduction simply because they had not the protection of the Arbitration Court.

This view was a true reflection of the man. If staff showed commitment the Society they received his undivided attention, support and loyalty. This characterised his management style throughout his tenure of office. However, despite the fact that Mr Trotter and chairman Mr Alex Hunter addressed the entire staff throughout the province, and were well satisfied that every member was doing everything humanly possible to keep the overheads down, it was just not enough to sustain the current salary and wage package.

Trading conditions were deteriorating rapidly and a ‘cut in salaries could not be avoided’. Board members expressed the opinion that the lead should be given by the Government and the matter not be rushed through by the board. However, by February 1931 the situation had become intolerable. Turnover was shown at £525,897 compared with £744,020 for the same period the year before. All items under the heading of expenditure showed a decrease, with the exception of salaries and travelling expenses, the former increased by £599 and the latter by £215. Commissions showed a total decrease of £5,160. The decrease in expenditure compared with the previous year as follows: advertising etc. £834, legal expenses £75, light and fuel £5, motor expenses etc. £244, rent and rates etc. £163, repairs and maintenance £79, discounts £869 – the total expenditure being £52,123, compared with £53,578 last year. The outstanding feature for the month of January was the decline in produce turnover, which was down £6,279 when compared with January 1930, although the total turnover to date was still £14,000 above last year. The board requested a full report for the March 1931 board meeting, relating specifically to reducing overhead expenditure, which would include the possibility of salary and wage cuts.

When Clem Trotter was instructed to make recommendations to the board to cut wages and salaries, staff knew that every possible alternative had been considered. It was accepted that in general they were better off than many and no one knew what the future held. The percentage of decrease in wages and salaries of staff varied considerably and it is not known what formula was used to arrive at the figures presented to the board on 24 March 1931. None, however, were spared from suffering a reduction, except the general manager. It is recorded: ‘Although the Executive had recommended that his salary be not cut, he was quite prepared to stand in with the rest.’

Mr Wickham moved that the general manager’s (Mr Trotter) salary be reduced by 10 per cent, but the motion lapsed for want of a seconder. A motion was then put with regard to reducing the inspector’s (Mr W. A. Hewitt) salary by 15 per cent. This was eventually carried, with four members of the board dissenting. No doubt the board felt that they could justify the general manager retaining his full salary, but in so considering others they would be on a slippery slope!

The following schedule of staff employed by The Farmers’ Co-operative Organisation Society of New Zealand Limited, as at 24 March 1931, showing their relevant salary and wage adjustments is the only remaining comprehensive document providing a valuable insight of the staff employed at this time in history. With a few exceptions, throughout the first four or five decades of company minutes, seldom were Farmers’ Co-op staff mentioned by name.

NAME PRESENT SALARY INCREASE DECREASE NEW SALARY Trotter C. G. £1000. 0. 0. £1000. 0. 0. Hewitt W. A. 800. 0. 0. £120. 0. 0. 680. 0. 0. Rickard R. M. 700. 0. 0. 105. 0. 0. 595. 0. 0. Caselberg H. M. 650. 0. 0. 97.10.0. 552.10.0. Cressey H. E. 430. 0. 0. £27. 3. 0. 57. 3. 0. 400. 0. 0. Ashton G. W. 425. 0. 0. 32. 3. 0. 57. 3. 0. 400. 0. 0. Snushall S. T. 400. 0. 0. 50. 0. 0. 350. 0. 0. Budd P. G. 375. 0. 0. 10. 0. 0. 48. 2. 6. 336.17.6. Brough C. J. 350. 0. 0 43.15.0. 306. 5.0. Adlam A. J. 350. 0. 0. 43.15 0. 306. 5.0.

Christensen C. 425. 0 0.

53. 2 6. 371.17.6. Evans F. 312. 0. 0. 31. 4. 0. 280.16.0. McKinnon J. G. 315. 0. 0. 15. 0. 0. 33. 0. 0. 297. 0 0. Walden C. J. 314. 0. 0. 11. 0. 0. 32.10. 0. 292.10 0. Oakley P. J. 340. 0. 0. 25.14. .3. 45.14. 3. 320. 0 0. Brown G. Barr 325. 0. 0. 32.10 0. 292.10 0. Chong Albert 300. 0. 0. 30. 0. 0. 270. 0. 0. Powdrell G. W. 310. 0. 0. 30. 0. 0. 34. 0. 0. 306. 0. 0. Boyd J.W. 280. 0. 0. 10. 0. 0. 21.15. 0. 266. 5. 0. Franklin T. D. 295. 0. 0. 22. 2. 6. 272.17 6. Lewes Noel 265. 0. 0. 21. 7. 6. 263.12 6. Cummings C. J. 275. 0. 0. 20.12. 6. 254. 7. 6. Whytecross R. J. M. 225. 0. 0. 5. 0. 0. 230. 0. 0. Ash Thos. 234. 0. 0. 130. 0. 0. 104. 0. 0. Humphrey J. T. 225. 0. 0. 5. 0. 0. 230. 0. 0. Farquharson W. B. 260. 0. 0. 26. 0. 0. 234. 0. 0. Smith W. F. 312. 0. 0. 21. 6. 8. 33. 6. 8. 300. 0. 0. Russell N. S. 234. 0. 0. 13. 0. 0. 221. 0. 0. Dillon R. J. 52. 0. 0. 2.12. 0. 49. 8. 0. Drake T. E. 39. 0. 0. 13. 0. 0. 2.12. 0. 49. 8. 0. Mullins A. 80. 0. 0. 4. 0. 0. 76. 0. 0. Hawke R. G. 190. 0. 0. 19 . 0. 0. 171. 0. 0. Honeyfield E. R. 90. 0. 0. 4.10. 0. 85.10. 0. Stratton J. V. 135. 0. 0. 13.10 0. 121.10 0. Clemoes J. A. 200. 0. 0. 20. 0. 0. 180. 0. 0. Hammond A. H. 208. 0. 0. 52. 0. 0. 156. 0. 0. Wiltshire M. 208. 0. 0. 52. 0. 0. 156. 0. 0. Middleton D. J. 150. 0. 0. 5. 0. 0. 15.10. 0. 139.10.0. Carrell C. F. 39. 0. 0. 39. 0. 0. Robertson D. F. 78. 0. 0. 78. 0. 0. Corry M. 250. 0. 0. 30. 0. 0. 220. 0. 0. Bradbury D. C. 140. 0. 0. 20. 0. 0. 120. 0. 0. Ekdahl P.H. 75. 0. 0. 3.15. 0. 71. 5. 0. Glenn I.N. 170. 0. 0. 20. 0. 0. 150. 0. 0. Humphrey A. 170. 0. 0. 20. 0. 0. 150. 0. 0. Palmer C. 180. 0. 0. 30. 0. 0. 150. 0. 0. Cook E. 182. 0. 0. 32. 0. 0. 150. 0. 0. Dykes W. 195. 0. 0. 35. 0. 0. 160. 0. 0. Catchpole J. 110.10.0. 4.10. 0. 115. 0. 0. Reid J.N 72. 0. 0. 5. 8. 0. 66.12. 0. HAWERA BRANCH – MOTOR DEPARTMENT: Hartill R. J. 364. 0. 0. 58.10. 0. 305.10 0. Gabbie J. M. 338. 0. 0. 52.10. 0. 286. 0. 0. Bell A. S. 257. 8. 0. 257. 8. 0. Brown J. F. S. 286. 0. 0. 28.12. 0. 257. 8. 0. Dimock C. L. 260. 0. 0. 2.12. 0. 257. 8. 0. Honey A. A. 239. 4. 0. 239. 4. 0. Humphrey W. C. 252. 4. 0. 13. 0. 0. 239. 4. 0. Lewis D. A. 39. 0. 0. 39. 0. 0. Lewis L. G. 312. 0. 0. 39. 0. 0. 273. 0. 0. Nolan M. 97.10. 0. 19.10. 0. 117. 0. 0. Taylor G.M. 299. 0. 0. 26. 0. 0. 273. 0. 0. Tecofsky G. 257. 8. 0. 257. 8. 0. Wallis R.J. 239. 4. 0. 239. 4. 0.

HAWERA BRANCH – PRODUCE DEPARTMENT: Barltropp L. E. 5.11. 11. p.w. Foster Geo. 4.12. 6. McCormack A. 4.12. 6. Barrett W. C. 4.15. 0. Parkes R. E. 4.15. 0. 9. 5. 5. 2. 6. 7. 6. 4. 5. 0. 5. 0. 4. 7. 6. 4.15 0. 4.15.0.

NEW PLYMOUTH BRANCH: Salmon T. J. 650. 0. 0.

97.10. 0 552.10. 0. Snelling F. J. 575. 0. 0. 86. 5. 0. 488.15. 0. Wooffindin H. F. 450. 0. 0. 7. 3. 0. 57. 3. 0. 400. 0. 0. Wagstaff H. S. 350. 0. 0. 14. 0. 0. 45.10. 0. 318.10. 0. Hardy R. M. 364. 0. 0. 45.10. 0. 318.10. 0. Jacka H.E. 400. 0. 0. 50. 0. 0. 350. 0. 0. Chadwick A. 350. 0. 0. 14. 0. 0. 45.10. 0. 318.10. 0. Schmidt A. C. 315. 0. 0. 10. 0. 0. 32.10. 0. 292.10. 0. Parfitt Jos. 325. 0. 0. 32.10. 0. 292.10. 0. Partridge F. G. 325. 0. 0. 32.10. 0. 292.10. 0. Hart John 250. 0. 0. 18.15. 0. 231. 5. 0. Melody A. E. 285. 0. 0. 21. 7. 6. 263.12. 0. Kingston C. M. 260. 0. 0. 19.10. 0. 240.10. 0. Roberts E. K. 245. 0. 0. 5. 0. 0. 250. 0 .0. Duke C. B. 78. 0. 0. 78. 0. 0. Moyes P. S. 70. 0. 0. 3.10. 0. 66.10. 0. Bradley H. R. 208. 0. 0. 208. 0. 0. Frethey L. 208. 0. 0. 52. 0. 0. 156. 0. 0. Church I. J. 185. 0. 0. 18.10. 0. 166.10. 0. Herbert J. H. 80. 0. 0. 20. 0. 0. 5. 0. 0. 95. 0. 0. Nuttal Alf. 62. 0. 0. 3. 2. 0. 58.10. 0. Webster G. C. 39. 0. 0. 13. 0. 0. 2.12. 0. 49. 8. 0. Shrimpton L. B. 182. 0. 0. 18. 4. 0. 163.16. 0. Robson V. T. 78. 0. 0. 3.18. 0. 74. 2. 0. Barnard F. H. 50. 0. 0. 50. 0. 0. Russan E. 130. 0. 0. 5. 0. 0. 125. 0. 0. Ellison N. 130. 0. 0. 5. 0. 0. 125. 0. 0. Gayton F. E. 143. 0. 0. 16. 0. 0. 125. 0. 0. NEW PLYMOUTH – MOTOR DEPARTMENT: Wiseman L. G. 338. 0. 0. 52. 0. 0. 286. 0. 0. Garner A. C. 239. 4. 0. 239. 4. 0. Palmer I. B. 39. 0. 0. 39. 0. 0. Ramsbottom C. J. 312. 0. 0. 39. 0. 0. 273. 0. 0. Rothery R. J. 239. 4. 0. 239. 4. 0. Rutherford L. J. 65. 0. 0. 65. 0. 0. NEW PLYMOUTH – PRODUCE DEPARTMENT: Whittaker W. 4.15. 0. p.w. 4.15. 0. Drake D. 2. 3. 0. 2. 3. 0. Harris H. E. 5. 0. 0. 5. 0. 4.15. 0. Alleman J. 1.17. 6. 1.17. 6. Rankin C. A. B. 5. 0. 0. 5. 0. 4.15. 0. Stevenson J. N. 1.10. 0. 1.10. 0. Walker H. G. 2.10. 0. 2.10. 0. Fowler T.G. 4. 5. 0. 4. 5. 0. Rankin A. J. T. 1. 8. 6. 1. 6. 1.10. 0. Cathey C. G. 5. 0. 0. 5. 0. 0.

STRATFORD BRANCH: Williams W. E. 400. 0. 0. 57. 3. 0. 57. 3. 0. 400. 0. 0. McCullough E. W. 300. 0. 0. 30. 0. 0. 270. 0. 0. Newland Ed. 300. 0. 0. 15. 0. 0. 31.10 0. 283.10. 0. Pickles E 300. 0. 0. 25. 0. 0. 32.10.0. 292.10. 0. Barnard J. H. 300. 0. 0. 33. 6. 8. 33. 6. 8. 300. 0. 0. Young W. H. H. 312. 0. 0. 31. 4. 0. 280.16. 0. Preo F. C. 274. 0. 0. 16. 0. 0. 21.15. 0. 268. 5. 0. Court G. F. 285. 0. 0. 21. 7. 6. 263.12. 6. Slater H. 350. 0. 0. 35. 0. 0. 315. 0. 0. Sutton H. S. 260. 0. 0. 35. 0. 0. 225. 0. 0. Hart C. R. 312. 0. 0. 31. 4. 0. 280.16 0. Twist M. C. 280. 0. 0. 8.17. 9. 28.17. 9. 260 0. 0. Jefcoate C. R. 250. 0. 0. 25. 0. 0. 225. 0. 0. Robson Jas. 210. 0. 0. 210. 0. 0. Trotter G. W. 52. 0. 0. 2.12. 0. 49. 8. 0. Hill Len 208. 0. 0. 52. 0. 0. 156. 0. 0. Hale W. T. 52. 0. 0. 2.12. 0. 49. 8. 0. Maslin F. M. 39. 0. 0. 39. 0. 0. Bayly V. L. 182. 0. 0. 32. 0. 0. 150. 0. 0. Fawkner N. 80. 0. 0. 4. 0. 0. 76. 0. 0. Grant A. 170. 0. 0. 20. 0. 0. 150. 0. 0. Hignett A. L. 160. 0. 0. 5. 0. 0. 155. 0. 0.

STRATFORD BRANCH – MOTOR DEPARTMENT: Lobb A. J. 312. 0. 0. Murphy E. 239. 4. 0. Rowe G. W. 257. 8. 0. 39. 0. 0. 273. 0. 0. 239. 4. 0. 257. 8. 0.

STRATFORD BRANCH – PRODUCE DEPARTMENT: Bottcher H. H. 4.17. 6. p.w. Femmell C. E. 4.17. 6. Harris G. W. 3.10. 0. Bush F. S. 5.10. 0.

Butler E. C. 4.15. 0.

Cave Jas.

4.12. 6. Lynch F. W. J. 4.13. 6. Paton L. P. 2.12. 6.

Carried.

5. 0. 4.12. 6. 2. 6. 4.15. 0. 3.10. 0. 10. 0. 5. 0. 0. 4.15. 0. 2. 6. 4.10. 0. 4.13. 6. 2.12.6.

Every effort was made by staff to reduce expenditure and help alleviate the ever-increasing pressure on the company. Numerous cases of hardship came before the board over the ensuing years and the Farmers’ Co-op management, with the support of the board, provided every possible assistance to keep the farmer on the land. The Turuturu Road property purchased from Gillies and Nalder in 1914 as part of the sale arrangement, now the site of Hawera’s soccer grounds, was for many years used by the local gentry as a polo paddock. Bing Kai and Lay Yee who leased the Polo Paddock for a number of years waited on the board to request consideration by way of a reduction in rent for the ensuing 12 months. The season had been very bad for them and the lease of 12¾ acres at a cost of £125 per annum was beyond their means. They had been good tenants and it was resolved that providing all arrears were paid by 31 December 1931 the rent would be reduced by £25. The

Farmers’ Co-op staff outside New Plymouth branch store, Courtney Street, 1932.

COURTESY OF ALLAN RANKIN

following year a further application for a reduction was received from Bing Kai and Lay Yee and the directors agreed to reduce the rent to £90 for one year.

Monitoring comparative financial returns became a monthly exercise for the board, and for the general manager this required a delicate and discerning touch. Faced with a new year of uncertainty, in January 1932 Clem Trotter outlined to the board decreases and increases in turnovers, commissions and expenditure for the nine months ended 31 December 1931. Although the wool department showed an increase in turnover of £7,790, the total decrease was a dismal £128,835, made up of decreases in turnover in the following departments: Produce departments £21,476 Auction 96,738 Motor 1,771 Car sales 16,642

As well, there were losses in: Commission in wool etc. £5,121 Stock commissions 4,030 Other commissions 1,254

Most gratifying was that expenses, which could, with a discerning executive, be managed to some degree, had decreased by a total of £6,673. The breakdown as follows: Office decrease £114 Motor 2,211 Car sales 645 Auction 1,844 Wool and Land etc. 678 Total produce 1,181 The viability of the Society really hinged on bad debts, and while money had been coming in fairly freely until a few months before the report, accounts were only being collected with difficulty. Despite this the general manager said he hoped ‘with care in this direction, even with the changed conditions of today, the trading position might come out equal on last year’. The board of directors found themselves dealing with so many unknown possibilities and thus uncertainty of the future.

Mr Dickie suggested that ‘expenses be further cut down and generally brought into line with existing business’. The chairman, Alex Hunter, however, reported that ‘The management was to be congratulated on the results obtained, as the reduction in expenses was remarkably good. To get a greater decrease the only way would be to shut the doors.’

He stated further that the auction expenses were down 21 per cent and any further saving would have to be made by curtailing that service and that if the Society was forced into reducing employment of the auction staff other firms would be in the same position. The motor department was also under close scrutiny and the general manager reported that minimum stock was held. Nothing but ‘Baby Austins’ were being ordered and every effort was being made to ‘clean up’ existing stocks and when this was completed the only sales that would be affected were those obtained with the minimum of expense. This would further bring down the expenses in this department. On a positive note, during 1932 the Austin agency had become a direct franchise holder and this would be of major importance to the Society. Also other initiatives were put on hold such as the development of the Union, Wellington and Grey Street property owned by the Society, which entailed the erection of six cottages to the value of £3,000. Reports and plans had been drawn up by Duffill and Gibson, free of charge providing they were entrusted with the work, but the board decided this was now an unnecessary outlay.

As the economy deteriorated, further calls for reductions in salaries were being made by some board members. Chairman Alex Hunter strongly opposed this, expressing the opinion that ‘it would be foolish to reduce salaries of the responsible officers as the welfare of the company depended on them, and in times such as these, when it was harder than ever before to show a profit, it was essential that the services of the best men should be retained’. Alex Hunter’s view yet again concurred with the general manager’s determination to support his staff to the hilt. Although the detail is missing, old press reports and other archives reveal that at times during the first 25 years, the finances of the company were at such a low ebb that personal cheques were passed over the directors’ table to keep it afloat. Determinedly the directors stuck to their faith in the potentialities of the concern, and in the face of adversity weathered the severest financial storms and ultimately passed into the calm of prosperity.

Defalcations within the Society were few and far between. However, a number did occur. The first recorded in the minutes was a misappropriation in November 1932 at the Kaponga branch of £7.10.0. Investigations were made by Messrs Hewitt and Williams and a staff member was immediately dismissed. He signed a statement of admission of misappropriating various sums amounting to £40 and promised restitution. A motion was put that ‘provided the disclosed shortage is paid forthwith no action will be taken in the meantime, and that if any other defalcations are disclosed later the matter will be reopened’. An amendment to the motion that the man be prosecuted was lost by five votes to ten. The original motion was then put and carried. A sign of the times is evident in the treatment of such misdemeanours when the general manager reported that ‘after the sale of offender’s furniture an amount of £8 remained outstanding and this had been met with a cheque’. An auditor’s check of the accounts of the branch revealed no further problems.

Although throughout the Farmers’ Co-op history there have been a number of serious incidents, two of a similar nature occurred in the early years, at New Plymouth and at Waverley. A shortage of oil at the New Plymouth garage revealed a misappropriation of cash received for oil sales by a garage attendant. The theft of approximately £5 was admitted in a signed letter by the culprit. The shortage of oils was estimated to be about 200 gallons, though it stated that ‘this might be accounted for by careless use on the part of mechanics’. At Waverley, the store was burgled by a former employee. That these were difficult times was also reflected by the appointment of staff members to represent the Society at bankruptcy meetings in which the Farmers’ Co-op was participating as a creditor.