FARMERS’ CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2375, 27 October 1880, Page 2

FARMERS’ CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.

The concluding lecture by Air Wm. Bateman, under the auspices of the above Association, was delivered last evening in Mr Green’s grain store. Mr Ilamersley presided, and about 200 farmers and others were present. At the request of the Chairman, Mr Bradshaw, bon secretary to the Association, briefly explained the object of the movement and the steps already taken. His remarks, which were to the point rather than profuse, were listened to with the utmost attention, and occasionally applauded. lie read tiic report of the Committee and preliminary prospectus, and he submitted that the necessity for an association such as was projected was admitted on all bands. The support of the banks and tradesmen generally might be anticipated, seeing that the object was to give an increased stability to farming enterprise. He replied to some of the objections urged against the proposal on the ground that the capital would be insufficient and the opposition of vested interests too strong, contending that the amount was enough for an agency business such as they contemplated, and that they bad calculated upon a certain amount of opposition but were prepared to meet it. The Committee bad done their part, and it was now for the farmers to assist them by becoming shareholders. He added that a letter had been forwarded by the Committee, on August Id to a London linn witii the view of opening up a business connection preparatory to the shipment of grain, and a reply was daily expected. Air Ilamersley, in introducing the lecturer, referred to the way in which farmers were handicapped, through the want of that financial power, which can only he obtained by combination. There might be opposition to the movement, but it was the fate of useful innovations to encounter obstruction, and if the promoters were only earnest and were fairly supported they had nothing to fear. Co-operation in other parts of the world had proved that individual weakness became a powerful lover when concentrated, and if the farmers of New Zealand applied the principle to their requirements they would realise an immense advantage. At the conclusion of Air Bateman’s lecture, which appears in our supplement, tlio lecturer in reply to Mr I towel! slated that if only £3OOO of capital was subscribed the business of the Association would bo carried on with that amount, but it would be necessarily curtailed. On the motion of Air J. Page, seconded by Air W. Gosling, the committee’s report was adopted. It was also resolved on the motion of Air Howell, seconded by Air AVildic—- “ That a Provisional Board of Directors he elected, to consist of Alessrs Postlethwaitc, Page, Talbot, Goodwyn, Buckle, AleLaren, Bourne, Bradshaw, and Hayhurst,” Air Bourne proposed, and Air Campbell seconded, a vote of thanks to Air Bateman for his able address, and the motion was carried by acclamation. Air Bateman acknowledged the meeting’s expression of thanks, and a vote of thanks to the chairman, and another to Air Green for lending the room and lilting it up, brought the meeting to a close.