N. Z. Farmers’ Union

Te Aroha News, Volume XXII, Issue 42747, 13 July 1905, Page 3

N. Z. Farmers’ Union

WAIHOU BRANCH. The usual monthly meeting of the above was held at Waihou on Tuesday evening last. The

attendance was small. Mr J. B. Thomas occupied the chair. Several interesting articles were read, which were commented upon by those present. Altogether the meeting was one

of the most instructive held for some time past. As instancing the prices paic in this district and elsewhere it was mentioned that machinedressed rye-grass was obtainable in the south, through the agency of the Unions, for 3s a bushel, while in these parts they were asking 6s. Mr Rowler said there was no

two opinions about the usefulness of an Association of the sort mentioned. Mr Borrie said that somehow or other the farmers in the Auckland province do not appear to work things as nicely as they did elsewhere'

In speaking of Freezing Companies, the Chairman said he knew a man who this season averaged 15s a piece for 400 lambs. This would not have happened only the Freezing Company was now in the district.

With respect to manures, several letters were read from Auckland firms quoting reduced prices for large consignments.— It was mentioned that the local Union would be able to order close on 100 tons this season.

It was resolved to write to Messrs Massey, Moss and Henries, M’s.H.R., intimating that the Branch was strongly opposed to any imposition of a duty on agricultural implements. The question of ‘webbing’ and spaying cows was brought forward, and the secretary was instructed to write to the Department for information re same. Tps Secretary read ihe following cir cular letter from Geo. H. Buckeridge, organiser of the. Now Zealand Farmers’ Union: — Mercantile Chambi rs, Queen Street Auckland 20th July 1905. Dear Sir, — At the recent Provincial Conference of the N Z Farmers Union held in Auckland resolutions were passed recommending farmers to form a Co-oper-ative Company on the same lines as the New Zealand Farmers Co-operative Association-Limited of Christchurch, and the Canterbury Farmers Co-operative Association Limited of Tiraaru, and to keep the commercial aspect of the Union, as advocated by myself, well to the fore, with the idea of having it staited as speedily as possible. The farmers of Canterbury have taken the sale of their produce and stock and the importation and purchase of their requisites into their own management with immense advantage to themselves, aed it is safe to predict that the success which follow., their efforts will be met with in this district also if the farmers will give their attention to it, and run a co-oper-ative association on the same business the Canterbury farmers have done. The two companies above mentioned have d no a business during their existence which speaks volumes for the benefits amongst farmers of co-operation on Bound business lines 1

The New Zealand Farmers Co-oper-ative Association started in ISBI with 7 shareholders and 141 shares, anl at Hist May 1904 had 3691 shareholder and 34122 shares, representing a subscribed capital of £170,610 of which £65,205 is called up, and with a reserve fund of £29,000. , Its sales of merchandise alone have increased from £27,400 in 188 3 to £210,977 last year, and it returned a dividend of 6 per cent and a bonus of 3 Eer cent ou paid up capital, 3 psr cent onus to shareholders on their purchases for the year, 3 per cent bonus on s' laries and wages earned, a refund of 25 per cent on commissions on auction sales wood excepted) and carried £IOOO to Reserv Fund. The profits have been on a similar scale for a number of years past* The Canterbury Farmers Co-operative Association subscribed capital £107,185 ; paid up £51,584, reserve fund £30,812. For the past four j ears they have returnep a dividend on 8 to 8£ per cent on pst id capital, 6 to 7 per cent bonus on shareholders’ purchases, 6 to 7 per cent bonus to staff on salaries and wages, and have returned from 25 to 30 per cent on commissions om auction sales (wood excepted) besides carrying from £ISOO to £3OOO annually to reserve, and writing off considerable sums for depreciation on properties. Commissions charged are 1£ per cent on graim, 2£ per cent on stock, and 5 per cent on horses and produce. These with the i etums represent a very considerable saving on the commissions paid by the farmers of this district; being about 1J per cent on grain, 1| per cent on stock, and 3| per cent cn horses and produce as ss against 4to 5 per cent on stock, 5 per cent plus extra fees on horses and 10 per cent on produce in the Auckland Province The saving in commissions on the sale of farms produce end stock does not represent anything like the full benefits the Canterbury farmers derive from these institutions They effect a very great saving in the purchase of all their requisites the quality of which is guaranteed, and at the lowest possible cost to themselves. as there are no profits to pay the middlemen. No farmer in this distiict is in so small a way that he will not bn a per • sonal gainer in supporting the establishment of a similar organisation in this province, for every farmer mustjlmvo some thing to sell and some requirements to purchase, on each of which through their own cn- opei ative age-my they w,ll save t len.i Idlemens’ profits.

My idea is to establish ft company f,. r this province ou si ni’ar linos to those companies named, which wculd, if possible absorb the present small co operative companies iglng business in Auckland, and pnrehas e existing businesses if expedient To have necessary shops and bulk stores in Auckland, and distributing*

« centres and saleyards where necessary in country districts. To run regular sales of live and dead stock, fruit and produce in town and coun try, to take farmers’ produce and despose of it to very best advantage, locally and elsewhere, and to keep in touch with outside markets iu order to obtain the bast possible prices and to undertake all kinds of farmers’ business, commission and loan work, the same as the companies , above mentioned do. Prospectuses will be issued at an early date and I will be glad if you will kindly take every opportunity of letting settlers near you know of the probable early start of the project, and let me know your opinion on the matter. Thanking you in anticipation.—Yours faithfully G. H Buckeridge, Organiser.