CO-OPERATION IN TARANAKI.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1921, Page 4

CO-OPERATION IN TARANAKI.

WHAT IT HAS MEANT. To measure the benefits arising from the existence of the Farmers’ Co-Op. in Taranaki would be a difficult matter, but that they are immense cannot be doubted. It has been established for seven years, and during the whole of that time has studied first and always the, interests of producers. It has distributed to shareholders no less than £30,000, in dividends and rebates, whilst it has invested in the province over £330,000 in the shape of loans, stocks, material, etc., required by producers. Loans to farmers are mainly against dairy stock, which is invariably valued on a conservative basis and to-day is considered the best and safest security in the Dominion.

The Society is appealing for £50,000 deposit money at 8 per cent., for 5 years, repayable then, or before, according to arrangement. This extra capital will be used for further financing farmers, so that in depositing your spare cash with the Society you assist in tiding the farmers over a difficult period, and in developing the resources of your own province, at the same time getting the best rate of interest for your money consistent with absolute safety of your principal. Should later on you need to finance against your deposit, there will be no difficulty in doing so. This is a substantial advantage that should appeal to investors. “Keep your money in Taranaki,” is a slogan that has behind it a practical purpose. “Distant fields are ever green,” of course, but none are actually more green or moire fertile than Taranaki’s. Other places may be subject to droughts or slackness—indeed, collapse—in the markets for their staple products. Business in many parts of New is to-day suffering just because of that circumstance. Taranaki has an abundant and regular rainfall. It relies for its prosperity and progress upon the dairying industry. The bottom can never drop out of it. In proof, just listen to this (it is Mr. J. A. Ruddick, formerly New Zealand Dairy Commissioner, speaking) :■ —

“We need never be afraid of serious over-production of either Cheese or butter. The market for all we are likely to make is waiting for us, and in the case of cheese at any rate we can command the very top price in the world’s markets. The newer knowledge of nutrition which is being disseminated throughout the world to-day is a great boost for milk and its products. Even already the s ig«B are not lacking that milk, butter and cheese are being placed higher in the scale of dietary values than they have been in the past. We may not always get as much for it as we think we are entitled to, but it does appear as though dairy produce would bring as high as, if not a higher relative price than, most other fam products. Look at the situation to-day with the price of many products dropping but with cheese and butter still at the peak in the market where prices are determined.” >■

Nothing more conclusive regarding the future of dairying (the foundation of Taranaki’s prosperity) need be said. It is assured as anything human can be. The Farmers’ Co-op. is no mushroom concern. It has behind it a great many of the farmers of the province, it has over a quarter of a million in subscribed capital behind it, it has immense stocks, all of which would have to go before deposit money could be affected, so that in entrusting your money to its care and management you can do so in perfect confidence and in the knowledge that it will be turned to good account, —the advancement of the interests of your own province.*