FARMERS' CO-OP.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 May 1919, Page 6

FARMERS' CO-OP.

JIEETING AT OKATO. There was a good attendance or coastal farmers at the meeting held in Mr \V. J. Gray's granary, Okato, on Tuesday to consider the advisability of extending the activities of the New Zealand Farmery Co-operative Organisation Society to that district. Messrs Thos. Taylor (manager), W. •Tones, A. E. Death, Fred Sarten, and G. H. Buckeridge (directors of the company) were present. Mr W. J. Gray was voted to the chair, and said the meeting was called because the dairy company had been in the habit of procuring goods for suppliers. It was accordingly decided to invite the Farmers' Co-op'." Organisation to come into the district, and establish a co-operative store. Mr Taylor stated he understood from the expressions in the district that the settlers wanted the Farmers' Co-opera-tive Organisation to come into the district and were ont to help them. He understood that they desired saleyards, and he could assure them that if the settlers of the district gave sufficient financial support saleyards would be erected as soon as possible. He pointed out that the establishment, of a cooperative stove would entail great expense, and was a matter that might be considered later. To have saleyards in the district it would be necessary for the settlers along the coast to take up 1000 scares. These shares were £lO, but only £5 was being called up, and was payable: £1 on application, 10s on allotment and the remaining £3 10s in 10s calls. As soon as £ISOO was paid up yards would be erected as expeditiously as possible. He pointed out the advantages the Co-operative Organisation gave shareholders in the way of rebates, etc.; also regarding the interest raised on ihare capital. He detailed the rebates given farmers since its inauguration.

Para Ruakere wanted to know if the Society was open to "black and whites," and was assured that Maoris could become shareholders. #

Mr G. H. Buckeridge spoke in support of the organisation, stressing the necessity of settlers, if they desired a lira rich of the business to be started, finding the capital necessary to carry the load. Farmers would put considerable money* into wild-cat schemes, such as oil ventures, ironsand, etc., but in the case of their own concern, which had proved successful, instead of taking up as many shares as they could, took up the minimum number that would give them the maximum benefit. It, was their own business, and if they found the capital and the directors did not run it successfully then a kick should come from them, but if they did not provide the capital, the kick should come from the directors.

In the course of discussion, it was stated that 51 shares were held in the district between Omata and Warea.

A suggestion was made that a committee be set up to canvass and report later, but it was considered better to ascertain what support would be given in the room and canvass the district thoroughly afterwards. Mr Cowling atked if it was purely a British concern, and was assured that rll the shares wore held, by Taranaki farmers. Votes of thanks were accorded the directors and officials of the company and the chairman, and, after the meeting a number of settlers; came forward and made applications for shares.