Thirty Unparalleled Loyalty 1977

CHAPTER THIRTY

Unparalleled Loyalty

Shareholders’ interests were the main consideration in all decisions made by the board of directors throughout the history of the organisation. Staff and management closely followed shareholders, providing an exceptional staff-customer relationship. The unparalleled loyalty and respect between the two parties was the hallmark of the Farmers’ Co-op operation and became ingrained into the cultural heritage of this enterprise of co-operation. The spirit of collective harmony was embraced not only in the Society’s constitution but also within day-to-day operations. Staff were considered a vital part of the infrastructure, and even during some of the company’s most difficult times they were foremost in the minds of decision makers. Despite the company’s reputation as poor payers, particularly in the early years when many employees received below award rates, they often continued to work for Farmers’ Co-op for their entire working lives. Allan Rankin, a modest gentleman endowed with the humility and respect of a bygone era, was one of the longest-serving employees. He was typical of many staff who showed unconditional loyalty towards their employer. Allan commenced employment with Farmers’ Co-op in 1929 to work alongside his father, also Allan Rankin, in the hardware department at the New Plymouth branch store, ‘The Mill’, on Powderham Street. He described his first impressions when he started with Farmers’ Co-op. They only sold produce at that time – there was no grocery to any extent – they sold grass seed, fertiliser, bulk groceries and flour. I started at the Co-op in 1929 following in my father footsteps – he was the storeman and a man by the name of ‘Harris’ was the manager – three of us working there. For the first few weeks I was completely lost. I didn’t know anything about veterinary remedies, hardware, produce or anything, but you learn you see. At that stage we had no counters in the building, all the produce was laid out on the floors and that went on for many years. I was paid a storeman’s award – or something like that. When I first went for the job, the district manager was a man named Jack Salmon. I had to see him when I went for the job. He said, ‘your pay will be 25 shillings per week’. They paid me the first week and then the very next week he called me in and said, ‘I have something to tell you, we made a mistake, your wages will only be 22 shillings and sixpence. That knocked me back a bit! I thought it was rough but I could do nothing about it. Although I have heard that FCOS were not very good payers, I had nothing to complain about. My father’s wage was five pounds, and when I got married I also received five pounds. Following Tom Molesworth’s appointment to the position of general manager in 1977, he recognised the need to form an association specifically for former staff members to meet from time to time to provide ‘the family’ with an opportunity to continue the life-long friendships many had formed with their fellow workers during employment with Farmers’ Co-op. Consequently, with the initial spadework completed by John Smith, Tom enthusiastically encouraged the formation of what became known as the FCOS 25 Year Club. The inaugural meeting, comprising 31 current and

former staff, was held on 7 March 1979. Its purpose was ‘to promote social meetings and to keep retired staff in touch with each other and the activities of the Society’. The first elected officers of the club were:

Patron: T. C. Tarrant President: W. H. Ellingham Secretary/Treasurer G. F. J. Bourke Committee: (to consist of one staff member and one ex staff member from each district). North: R. Lyndon – R. Atkinson Central: L. Hucker – W. Elliot

South: J. Smith – R. Hammonds

A newsletter with contributions from the chairman of directors and general manager combining other ‘snippets’ of news concerning the welfare of members and staff, and matters of general interest is still circulated amongst members two or three times a year. The highlight is the annual dinner and meeting when new members have the privilege of taking their place amongst revered, more often than not older former employees of the company to share memories of the days of yore. At the time of publishing this history the following schedule includes current and former members and a few honorary members, with founding members shown with an asterisk: ALLIED FARMERS LIMITED 25 YEAR CLUB Adams, G. Adams, T. Allen, G. C.* Anderson, E.W. Miss* Ashton, R. M. Atkinson, R. F.* Barlow, M. K. Bint, L. A.* Bishop, B. N. Blake, N. C.* Booth, E. A .G.* Boulton, A. T.* Bourke, G. F. J.* Bracegirdle, I. D. Broughton, G. Broughton, Patsy Brown, W. G. Burke, H. C.* Byars, G. A.* Callender, J. L.* Catchpole, K. W.* Chapman, D. Chittenden, Lesley Church, L. J.* Claringbold, L. R.* Cleland, M. Clifford, E. W. Close, Colleen Clough, Win Constable, Eric Cook, P. L. Coombe, H. R. Corrigan, L. T. Court, G. C.* Court, R. F. Cruickshank, D. B.* Crutch, R.* Cunningham, B. Miss* Dawson, J. W.* De Castro, B. F.* Deegan, P. Dick, W. B.* Dobson, L. N. Dodunski, C. Donoghue, K. Miss* Downs, C. A. Drake, D.* Duncan, J. A. G. Dunlop, R. J. C. Edlin, B. J. Ellingham, W. H.* Elliot, W.* Evensen, T. E.* Fastier, W. S.* Fletcher, Mr C. Fowler, N. V.* Fowler, C. Fowler, Vera Garvey, S. Gernhoefer, J. F. Gilbert, Betty Gill, Frances Glossop, J. R. Grant, A. Miss* Grantham, Chris Gray, G. H. Green, R. W. Hammonds, R.* Harrop, T. J. Hayward, R. H. Henderson, T. C.* Hendrick, F. G. Hicks, B. N. Hicky, M. How, H. C.* Hucker, L. * Humphries, W.* Hunter, Ken Irving, J. E. Johnson, C. H. Jones, S.* Jones, E. Kelly, M. King, V. Kruse, R. H. Lander, A.G.* Lewes, R. L.* Lewis, O.* Lewis, K. J.* Lithgow, R. A. Longbottom, A.* Loughlin, J. Luscombe, B. M. Luscombe, P. Lynch, C. Lyndon, R. G.* Mann, B. Marshall, W. G. McMurray, B. Molesworth, T. F.* Monaghan, B. A.* Morrison, C. W. Moss, A. M.* Neal, W. J.* Nelson, R.* Newland, K. P.* Nix, K. G. Norgate, Miss R O’Grady, W.* Peacock, G. T. Pearce, A.* Petrie, W.* Pettett, A B. Philpott, B. L. Potroz, J. Preo, F.* Prestney, O. Rankin, A. J.* Rea, K. R. Rich, G. D.*

Richards, J. M. Robinson, I. L. Robinson, W. G. Ross, Alan Russell, J. Ryan, D. J.* Salisbury, J. D. Sarten, M. Sattler, D. Sefton, B. Shaw, K. H. Shaw, M. Slater, H. J.* Slinger, H. F.* Smith, A.* Smith, J. S. B.* Smith, Mrs A E Smith, S. K.* Smith, Ada Smith, J. A. Smith, M. Smith, Mrs Irene Spence, R. Stening, W. N. Stewart, A. J. Sutton, S. Tanner, C. V.* Tarr, B. H. J. Tarrant, T. C. Thatcher, A.* Thompson, G. Tippett, I. Toon, J. H. Train, B. A. Uncles, S. W.* Walden, T. J.* Wano, J. Wano, M. J. Watt, A. Webb, F. A.* Webber, R. Weir, Ngaire Western, P. A. Whytcross, R. R. Williamson, G. J. Woller, L. J. Wood, H. C.* Wooffindin, H. F.* Worthington, J. W.

Thousands of people throughout Taranaki and other neighbouring provinces have been employed by the company throughout its long history. Many made significant contributions and sacrifices for this beloved rural trading organisation and it is with considerable regret that this documentary is unable to recognise everyone who has diligently served it, many with distinction. However, this history does pay homage to their contribution and the legacy they have left behind. In 1973 one diligent anonymous staff member with an eye on the future carefully and deliberately recorded in a notebook staff names, designation and employment inception date for all branches other than New Plymouth, and to him we owe our gratitude:

BRANCH POSITION EMP/INC. DATE

OPUNAKE BRANCH Smith, J. S. B.

Bayliss, R. H. Branch Manager, also Manager Hawera 08/02/43 Produce Tr. 10/07/72

Bishop, Barry Produce Dept.

19/05/69 Collin, Helen I. Grocery 22/11/65 De Castro, Brian F. Manager, Produce 17/06/40 Lewis, Ron D. Hardware 13/12/71 McKenzie, Donald Grocery 25/07/66 Symon, Peter B. Hardware 22/05/67 Waller, Len J. Grocery Manager 09/02/59 Woolford, Barbara J. Hardware 16/12/68 Young, Jeanette Carol Office 09/04/73 Young, Kelvyn A. Driver 25/09/67 Kidney, Fay D. Senior Office Clerk 10/09/73 Olson, Janice E. Grocery 27/08/73 Humphrey, Andrew Produce 16/07/73 PATEA BRANCH Kelliher, Brian M. Branch Manager 11/03/47 Anderson, Peter Produce 26/06/72 Ansley, Iris T. Hardware 04/05/70 Ansley, Sylvia M. Grocery 12/02/68 Broughton, Bruce E. Hardware 20/01/70 Fisher, F. Eric Hardware 10/01/72 Garnett, Lorna G. Hardware 19/03/73 Heika, Kevin J. Hardware 16/04/73 Marshall, Joan G. Grocery 07/02/72

Marshall, Mavis E.A. Grocery Matthews, Lewis J. Driver Pycroft, P. A. John Grocery Reardon, Patricia A. Office Scobie, William Hardware

WAVERLEY BRANCH Harris, John N.

Branch Manager Hammonds, H. Russell Produce Aiken, Suzanne K. Grocery Bourke, Sandra M. Hardware Harris, Joan Grocery Grimes, Stella G. Office Huff, Janet Grocery Hughes, Ronald G. Grocery Lister, Leo A. S. Driver MacGrath, Christine Office Owens, Jean M. Grocery Rapson, Alexander J. Produce Rea, Keith R. Hardware

Wallace, Allen

Hardware Zimmerman, Leonard George Produce

HAWERA MACHINERY DIVISION Walden, T. James Manager Brieseman, David Doyle, Anthony M. Mackay, Paul J. Sh. Assistant Picard, Maurice J. Farm Machinery Pollock, Phillip Smith, Leslie James Clerk

INAHA BRANCH Gamlin, Jack A. Carter, James Lewis Branch Manager

KAUPOKONUI BRANCH Thomson, W. Vaughan Branch Manager Baker, Sheila M. Clerk

Brown, Garry J.

Van Driver Bryant, James M. Produce Burton, Peter B. Produce

Coombe, Gail S.

Clerk Elmes, Evan David Hardware Hall, Hector Produce Maindonald, Milton W. Grocery Robinson, Ivor L. Hardware Sutton, P. Fay Grocery Walker, Cornelius G. Produce Murdoch, R. Neil Grocery Upson, Kevin Neil Grocery Malcolm, R. C. Hardware

HAWERA BRANCH Chisholm, Chas. B. Branch Manager Barkla, Newton S. Hardware 16/08/71 26/01/70 05/06/73 26/07/71 12/03/57

12/08/63 03/02/36 14/12/70 16/07/73 12/08/64 12/09/73 03/12/71 27/01/70 25/09/72 24/02/69 17/01/66 22/11/54 05/12/60 19/03/70 19/10/70

05/02/45 04/12/72 15/01/73 11/06/73 26/02/69 14/09/70 14/04/69

31/05/65 22/11/71

02/07/62 28/02/72 09/08/73 27/06/66 20/06/69 13/08/73 13/03/73 03/06/63 11/05/70 02/07/62 07/03/66 07/08/67 02/07/62 03/07/70 14/11/73

06/06/61 14/02/72

Benson, Peter F.

H.A. Booth, Trixie M. Grocery Broughton, Morris R. Grocery Cann, Susan M. China 27/05/68 14/06/72 25/08/69 26/03/73

Chittenden, Kenneth M. Produce Cleaver, Sydney Grocery Crutch, Raymond H.A. Curtis, Alfred Produce 23/07/73 15/05/61 03/02/71 03/06/63

Espin, Vivienne R. Clerk

10/12/71 Evans, George Produce Manager 09/08/54 Fogarty, Elaine M. China 31/08/66 Glossop, Joy R. Hort. 05/02/73 Hart, J. Anne Clerk 24/03/66 Hicks, Bruce N. Produce 18/05/64 Hicks, Pamela L. 08/04/68 Hokopaura, Bernice P. Hardware 26/03/73 Lambert, Rudolph I. Produce 15/12/69 Oakes, Sydney Jack Hardware 23/11/72 Pacey, Alma E. Home Appliances 20/05/69 Peters, Andrew H. Grocery 02/02/70 Phillips, James John Produce S. 26/03/62 Schuler, Margaret A. Grocery 01/09/69 Sheehan, Patricia A. Produce S. 05/08/63 Slater, H. J. Produce Sales 12/09/38 Smart, Margaret May Hardware 20/08/73 Smith, Spencer K. Produce 18/09/61 Spice, Clifford G. Produce Sales 09/07/62 Sugden, Mildred Hort. 11/06/73 Thatcher, Allan Grocery 14/05/51 Tucker, Wilfred J. Van Driver 11/07/66 Verbeet, Irene E. Grocery 25/06/73 Webb, Frederick A. Grocery 28/11/38 Wells, Keith G. Hardware 07/08/72 Wren, Frederick J. Hort. 24/11/69 Walden, Thomas J. 05/02/45 Brieseman, David Machinery 04/12/72 Doyle, A. Maurice Machinery 15/01/73 Mackay, Paul J. Machinery 11/06/73 Pollock, Phillip Machinery 14/09/70 Smith, Leslie J. Machinery 14/06/69 HAWERA OFFICE Lowther, Alice G. Trade 15/10/73 Amon, Lynley R. Typiste 16/12/68 Bassett, F. Russell Sup. 01/03/65 Bloor, Raewyn G.3 Ins.and Sup. 26/06/72 Bracken, Margaret A. Office 08/03/71 Brady, Jeanette M. Office 26/07/71 Brieseman, Valerie M. Office 13/09/71 Callaghan, Bruce J. Sup. 07/07/69 Church, Leslie J. Office P.T. Coxon, T. R. Land 11/01/71 Daunt, Francis E. Cleaner 18/08/50 Goldup, Denise C. Office 13/05/69

Harris, Noreen A. Office Headley, Helen L. Office Jennings, Lynnette Office McCutchan, Nora Office Norgate, Irene L. Prestidge, Rosemary O. Office Quin, Karen M. Office Read, Patricia M. Office Rudge, Molly Schrader, Catherine A. Office

Scown, Sonia B. Standford, Kathleen P. A. Tangipo, Joseph Thomas, Barbara N. Briscoe, E. Noel Cameron, Ronald C. Downs, Chas. A. Fowler, Clement A. 10/03/70 01/12/71 18/06/73 03/02/70 06/01/64 03/01/68 23/10/73 09/07/73 10/10/73 18/03/71 05/01/71 13/10/69 22/02/65 07/12/70 07/12/72 21/07/71 24/01/61 24/04/63