CO-OPERATION AMONG FARMERS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2113, 1 December 1880, Page 3

CO-OPERATION AMONG FARMERS.

TO THE BDITOB OF THE PBESB. Sib, —The movement which is taking place in South Canterbury to secure a solid cooperation amongst farmers has not at present been much discussed in the columns of the Christchurch press, I think that the time is arrived when the matter can be placed in a practical form before your readers. In the first place, I would remark that in assuming the name of the Canterbury Farmerk’ Co-operative Association the directors did so for the purpose of preventing the co-operative movement being split up into local efforts. Such a contingency would tend to defeat the main object which has all along been kept in view, namely, the union of farmers for one aim and purpose. That aim and purpose is the improvement of the producing and consuming interest of New Zealand. There is but little doubt that the step which is now being taken in this direction will spread and become general throughout the Middle Island. The probability of this finds great support in the fact that the development of trade during the last fifty years has in all cases tended towards co-operation in one form or another. During the abovenamed period largo corporations have sprung into existence which, ey utilising to the best advantage the united savings of the many, have abolished or put into the back ground the hitherto successful efforts of the few. The tendency of the age, owing to gradually increasing competition, is to economise all profits as between producer and consumer. In the long run this tendency promotes general prosperity. It gives the greatest possible advantage to producer and consumer alike, and, whatever temporary difficulties such societies as the Canterbury Farmers’ Co-operative Association may have at the outset, ultimate success is certain, because the initiative is based on the soundest principle. This success arises from the fact that whilst securing to the producer the highest obtainable ‘price for his marketable commodities, it at the same time affords to the consumer an opportunity of buying at the lowest possible cost. In other words, such societies tend to economise capital. Probably the 00-operative movement in New Zealand had its origin in South Canterbury, because in that district was to be found the greater necessity for it. Produce is generally quoted in Timaru considerably lower than either in Christchurch or Dunedin ; due deduction being made for transit charges, the scheme once started, the same advantages both as regard import and export

I which can be arranged for South Canterbury apply with equal force to both Christchurch and Dunedin. A society which on a limited scale can make advantageous arrangements for its members could make even better terms ' should its operations become more extended. Individual corporations trading with it can afford to take smaller profits in proportion to the extent of the business done, and the expenses of management would also amount to a smaller percentage. Assured of the soundness of the step which has been[initiated, the promoters,(whom I believe to bo acting solely with the idea of benefiting the community at large, and with no view of seeking place for themselves, are determined to start the association on a scale commensurate with the capital at their disposal. With ordinarily good management it cannot be doubted that as the spirit of cooperation becomes more generally appreciated, the society will year by year gain large accessions to its numbers. Up to the present time applications for shares have been fully equal to what could have been expected, and lead to the conclusion that farmers as a body are deeply interested in the movement.. Feeling from the support which the society has already obtained that it is certain to be floated, I am assured that men will be found in North Canterbury capable of developing the movement, and of assisting in the practical application of principles which will place the population of the colony on a happier basis. In one of your future issues, I should like to place before your readers a more definite statement of the aims and objects of the association. In the meantime, fearing to trespass too much on your valuable space, I would suggest to the farmers’ clubs of North Canterbury and to other persons interested the desirability of extending its ramifications, and that they should address themselves to the chairman or secretary of the association in Timaru, for the purpose of making cooperation general throughout Canterbury. Tours, &0., John Beadshaw,