PROPOSED FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 4 December 1880, Page 2

PROPOSED FARMERS' CO-OPERA-TIVE ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the Committee appointed at the first meeting of the promoters of a Farmers' Co-operative Society for the district, to gather information regarding the constitution of such societies, met last evening at the schoolhouse, Papakaio. There were present :—Messrs. Johnstone (in the chair), Duncan, Schluter, Forrester, H. Ross, Wilson, Butters, Easton, Milne, and Walker. The Chairman briefly stated the object of the meeting, and invited discussion. A letter from the Secretary pro tem of the proposed Canterbury Farmers' Association, and the prospectus of that body were read. From these, it appeared that it is intended to endeavor to float the Association with a capital of LIOO,OOO, in 20,000 shares of L 5 each, to be contributed in gradual payments, and that the object of the promoters is to secure for the members of the Association greater facilities than at present exist for the shipping of their produce to the consuming markets of the world by chartering ships, and ''allowing shareholders advances on the produce so shipped, or deposited with the Company for shipment, or sale, at the lowest rates." They also contemplate supplying to members every requisite in connection with the agricultural and pastoral industries; making advances on the properties of shareholders ; and dividing any profits that may accrue amongst the shareholders, after paying interest at the rate of 7 per cent, per annum on the paid-up capital. The Chairman expressed the opinion that the Canterbury Association was on coo large a scale to prove useful to the farmers of this district as a pattern. If the farmers of the counti'v lying between the Horse Range and the Waitaki were to combine, they could engage some capable and trustworthy man, and pay him a salary, to act as their agent, so as to avoid the present heavy expenses and inconveniences. Supposing that each farmer paid a pound or so a year for such an agency, that would be preferable to paying 2\ per cent, commission. If it were only possible to create some enthusiasm amongst the farmers of the districts interested, the matter could be carried out successfully. He would like to hear some expression of opinion from those present. Mr. T. Duncan said that, to his mind, there was not sufficient enthusiasm in the farmers of the Papakaio district to promote the establishment of a club such as that proposed. There was but a pcor attendance at the meeting, and the attgndance at the first meeting was not much better. It might be urged that the meagrenegs of the attendance at yesterday's meeting was due to the fact that farmers were busy on their farms, but the same excuse could not be adduced for the poor attendance at the first meeting. It appeared to hip; that the chief object of tho growers of the whole district should be to send their grain direct to a foreign market at the smallest possible oost. It was quite evident that they were now growing more than could be consumed in the Colony. But, in order to undertake anything of such a magnitude, it would be necessary to agitate throughout the whole district. Possibly the settlers around Waimate might co-operate with them, as Oamaru was the nearest ? and, so far, at all events,gthe 1 est port'of shipment. He thought It might be possible to get a lecturer on Farmers' Co-operation to deliver lectures throughout the district, and with this object, it would be as well to ascertain upon what terms such a lecturer would be prepared to do so, represent the matter to the settlers, and ask their assistance to pay the expense. But he feared that the settlers attended too much to " their own business" to establish a club.

The following resolution \yrt? tl'ion carried, on the motion of Mr-. Duncan, seconded by Mr. Ross :■ —That a letter be written to Mr. Baioman asking liirn upon what terms he would deliver six lecturer in the district upon the subject of farmers' co-operation," Mr. JJunoari'wiiß then .appointed hon. Secretary pro tein., and desired tq communicate with the settlers of the several districts asking their co-operation in obtaining the services of Mr. Bateman. On the motion of Mr. Schluter, seconded by Mr. Forrester, it waa solved that Mr. Duncan be empowered to call a public meeting of the settlers of the several distriotSj in Qamaru, when the requisite information regarding Mr, Bateman has been obtained. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.