CO-OPERATIVE MARKETING.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 January 1922, Page 4

CO-OPERATIVE MARKETING.

The remarks made by President Harding, when opening the National Agricultural Conference at Washington, are well worthy of attention by farmers in the Dominions. In expressing the view that if the nation fails to aid the farmer it will precipitate a disaster that will affect every industrial a,nd commercial activity, the United States President uttered a truism. At the same time his main object was to encourage the farmers to 'help themselves, rather than to lean upon the nation. The wisdom of impressing on the farmers the need for co-operative marketing is self-evident. Not only did President Harding advocate an extension of the existing farmers’ co-operative marketing organisations, but he stressed the desirability of providing greater working capital for the farmers as a means to prevent violent price fluctuations. On more than one . occasion we have deplored the absence of a State development bank in New Zealand charged with the special duty of aiding farmers and other industrialists. Recent experience with regard to the marketing of the Dominion’s produce has plainly indicated the need of such a bank. In its absence the producers have been compelled to seek Government aid, a course, that is most undesirable from many points of view. Production should be entirely outside the sphere of politics, jf— as is assuredly the case—the farmers of the Dominion value their independence and have faith in their business ability, they will take advantage of the American President’s advice and manage their own affairs without Government help. To do this, however, they must organise both for marketing and for obtaining secured finance to safeguard against violent price fluctuations.