MEETING OF FARMERS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2288, 17 July 1880, Page 2

MEETING OF FARMERS.

A largely attended meeting of farmers and others was held this morning at the Grosvenor Hotel, for the purpose of taking into consideration the advisability of forming a Farmers Co-operative Society in Timaru. Mr Goodwin was voted to the chair and after briefly referring to the object of the gathering and the necessity for action, called upon Mr Cooper to address the meeting. That gentleman then came forward and delivered a very able speech. He said: The state of depression under which the landed and farming interests of this colony now languish renders this an opportune time for seriously considering whether the adoption b} r farmers of a different mode of conducting their relations with the general public is not an imperative requirement. If the transfer of the products of the soil to the consumer can be facilitated so that the numerous charges thereon now absorbed by middlemen arc largely diminished, it is obvious that the profits of the growers will be increased in the same ratio. If under present market rates, and the present tariff of charges it is a diilicult matter to make fanning pay, what will be the state of things when foreign competition lias reduced prices to a minimum without at the same time tending to lower the charges which the farmer pays for bringing his products to market? This is a serious matter. The wealth of Xow Zealand is not founded upon arts and manufactures only, hut hut based upon the fruits of the soil. The competition of foreign countries —notably of the United States—is what wc have to fear, and this is not a fixed quantity. On the contrary it is coa-

stantly and rapidly increasing. An enormous area of America was last year under wheat, we know with what result upon prices. The area has increased this year by 15 per cent., and railway enterprise will soon bring into the field against ns the immense bolt of fertile or prairie land in the Western part of Canada. As wc cannot, owing to causes beyond our control, enhance our profits by increasing tiie productiveness of the soil wc must perforce arrive at the same result by dimishing the charges, which, under the present system, the soil has to bear. When the world’s markets arc Hooded with wheat, as those of these Colonics arc now deluged with oats, it will simply be a question with the competing nations as to who can hold out the longest. The speaker wont on to comment on the fact that with manifest climatic and other disadvantages, farming was more profitable in America than in Hew Zealand arguing that the reason why farming so rarely yielded a fair return in the colony was the want of union and organisation among farmers who allowed their legitimate profits to slip from their grasp, die moved —“That the farmers of this district form themselves into a society to be called the Landowners and Farmers Co-operative Society of Hew Zealand Limited, and that the following shall indicate the main rules of the society” : “That the capital consist of £25,000, iu 5000 shares of £5 each, 10s to be paid on allotment, subsequent calls not to exceed 10s each, at intervals of not loss than six months each.

“ That there shall bo a general meeting every six months, for reception of report and consideration of affairs generally. “That the shareholders shall appoint live directors; the hoard of directors to appoint: their chairman, who shall have a casting vole in addition to his ordinary vote. “ Each half year two of the Jive directors shall retire by ballot, but shall be eligible for re-election. “A director shall bold not less than twenty shares. Three directors to form a quorum.” The motion was seconded by Mr Badham, who spoke on the advantages of co-operation. There were a number of men who called themselves mer-chants—-he called them commission agents—who interfered with the profits of Iho farmer. It was these men who forced the farmers’ noses to the grindstone, and kept turning the handle. (Laughter.) Last year tire charge on freight was :10s per ton ; this year it was 50s, and next next year it might be 70s. How it was useless for an individual to complain, but let them unite and complain as 'a body, and then it would be with a very different result. It was all very well lo talk about “ encouraging local industry,” but they had encouraged the Bank of Hew Zealand and other banks until they (the banks) could turn round and laugh at them. Let them then form a Society of their own —But lot there be no half measures—it was the farmers who tilled the soil and who should reap the benefit of it without (he interference of middle-men or other interested and selfish parties. (Hear, hear, and applause.)

One or two other gentlemen having addressed the meeting. 3lr Cooper’s motion was put and carried unanimously.

The following gentlemen were elected by the meeting to form a committee, with power to add to their number : Messrs Cooper, Goodwin. Fostlethwaite, Cocks. Kellman, Kelland, Mee, Fncklc, It. Campbell, d. Campbell, >Shaw, Mclverrow. Fadham, Dawson, Stumbles, Hardie, Clelland, Fulberferd. South, Martin, Talbot, Howell, E. F. Scaley, Salck, A. N. Wright, Page, McDonald, A. F. Smith, Sullivan. I.ovcgrovc, J. Smith, K. Frokhy, McLaren, Unin, J. Patterson, John Patterson, Henc}’, Pichardson, Emsom, Hay, Hardcastle, Ilradshaw, Fonrne, and Fristol. The usual votes of thanks having been passed, Mr Cooper was appointed lion secretary /mo. (cm., and the committee meeting adjourned till Saturday next at I.JO p.m.