UPDATE 1-Airgas says could hold new shareholder meeting in June

* Airgas says could hold shareholder meeting in June

* Airgas says plan for January meeting probably illegal (Adds Air Products statement)

NEW YORK Aug 30 (Reuters) - Airgas Inc (ARG.N) said on Monday it would call for a special meeting of its stockholders in June 2011 to conduct a vote for new board members if its shareholders reject a proposal for a special meeting in January.

Airgas' rival, Air Products and Chemicals Inc (APD.N), has launched a hostile bid to buy Airgas and has asked Airgas shareholders to vote at the Sept. 15 annual meeting to call for a new meeting in January to consider new board members.

Airgas management said a January meeting would come just four months after the September meeting and undermine its negotiating position against Air Products.

Holding the meeting so soon after the September meeting would also likely violate Delaware law, under which Airgas is incorporated, the company said.

Air Products accused Airgas of stonewalling.

"The Airgas board remains determined to use any and all means to avoid a referendum on Air Products' offer," the company said in a statement. "Air Products has given Airgas shareholders a clear path to receive a substantial premium now -- there is no need for further delaying a sale of Airgas."

Air Products has launched an offer of $63.50 per share in cash, or $5.3 billion, for Airgas' shares.

(Reporting by Matt Daily; Editing by Bernard Orr)