MARKETING FARM PRODUCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1860, 20 September 1913, Page 10

MARKETING FARM PRODUCE.

WHERE CO-OPERATION SUCCEEDS. Addressing a gathering of Wairarapa dairymen recently, Mr. Primrose irConnell, manager of the Ruakura Farm of Instruction, made tho following remarks with reference to the commercial aspect of farming:— "Every dairy farmer," he said, "should bo a member of that association which represents the dairy interests of his country. In New Zealand there is a tendency to imagine we arc leading iu the matter of co-operation, but we are far behind some other countries where the system has been in voguo for a considerable period. A few years have sufficed for co-operative dairy farming to bring the country of Denmark out of a state of penury into a condition of comparative affluence. It has been truly said that it is by individual effort that true advancement is made, but thq efforts of individuals are infinitely more effective when working in combination which need not in any way destroy individuality. Not, only should you co-opernte in tho manufacture and sale of your dairy produce, but it should be your aim to co-operate in dealing with everything you buy and sell. In Britain, co-operative societies in the towns have been in a most flourishing stato for a number of years, the turnover now exceeding £100,000,000 per annum, and agricultural cooperation, although only comparatively now,-is increasing at an enormous rate. Twenty years ago there was not a siugle central agricultural, association in tho three kingdoms. In Ireland alono thero are now 340 creamcries, 240 credit societies, 160 • agricultural socioties, 62 industrial society, 25 poultry societies, 10 flax societies, 20 beekeepers' societies, 8 bacon-curing ■ societies, 4 federations, and about 20 miscellaneous societies. Last year tho saleg effected through the agricultural societies of Britain amounted to ono and a half million pounds.. . "There are too many people in New Zealand under the impression that all other countries are asleep except their own, and it is just the kind of feeling that in the end leads to stagnation, and stimulates a pride which is not desirable.

_ "In England, one of tho largest societies affiliated is tho Eastern Counties' Farmers' Co-operative Association, Ipswich. Its turnover, which amounted to £30,000 in 1905, now amounts to £200,000, and the so-called capital ' is less than £1000. The 700 members' farm an average of 30 acres, which should be sufficient proof that co-opora-tion has a great deal to offer even tho large, as woll as tho small, farmer. Tho work of the association is managed by a trading committee of farmers, with an efficient staff. This organisation even 'employs a pig buyer who visits the markets all over tho country, protects tho members' interests ' against rings; and provides expert 'advice as to feeding, and the requirements of the market. This association supplies its members with everything they need, from implements, engines, bicyc'los, conl, and lubricants, to milk-carts, manures, fencing material, barometers, and paint, and it is only one among many others scattered all over tho tjireo kingdoms. In connection with these associations are co-operativo dairy factories for supplying tho neighbouring towns'; eomo 'specialising in sterilised bottled milk, others in cheese or butter. As feeders to the factories, motor service is boing rapidly established." Co-operative agri-cultural-banks are also providing a Croat success, and the losses in connection "with them is almost nil. Cooperation has been extended to the Orkney Islands, and on eggs alono about £1000 more is paid to the crofters than they would receive by selling through a middleman. In tho light of A'hat is being accomplished by the aid of co-operation all over tho world, it is impossible to cast any doubt on its benefits." . The Washington correspondent of the London "Times," writing recently on the languishing of agriculture in tho U.S.A., makes the following statomont:— j "Ono of tho greatest obstacles to' commercial prosperity and success lin the United States is the fact 'that there is no co-oporation among the farmors, and that most of the farming is devoured by the middleman, practically through tho agency of the bankers. . . . Wherever co-operation among farmers has been established,' prosperity has been the result."