MEETING OF FARMERS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10211, 13 April 1911, Page 7

MEETING OF FARMERS.

PROPOSED CO-OPERATIVE AUCTIONEERING COMPANY.

MEETING IN MASTERTON

A meeting of farmers and others interested in the re-opening of the Waipoua, sale-yards for stock sales was held in the Board room of the Wairarapa Farmers' Co-operative Association yesterday afternoon. Between thirty and forty farmers were present. Mr M. Caselberg, who presided, read a circular calling the meeting, and stating that a number of farmers had expressed sorrow at the old saleyards being closed. They had also said that the new yards were too far away, and took up the whole day of their time. He (tho speaker) thought it desirable to consult farmers and see really what they did want. It had been suggested that the farmers form a company of their own, as was done elsewhere, and lease' the Waipoua yards. He had prepared a draft pror , posal, which was that an Auctioneering Company he formed, under what ever name they might desire, with shares at, say, £5 each. It was suggested that the. company have a capital of £IOOO. The Wairarapa. Farmers' Co-operative Association would be prepared to take up £2OO worth of shares, and to allow a low rent for the first year, viz., £SO a year, with an agreement that- not more than £IOO a year should be charged for succeeding years. It was decided that jj tho same charge be made for auction(eering as was made by other firms, j and that the surplus be divided among shareholders. Tho W.F.C.A. was prepared to finance tho company on approved name. He understood however, that very little assistance was now required by fanners of the district in purchasing stock. They would require an auctioneer, secretary and a little advertising. It was for tho directors to say if a manager would be necessary. If the. farmers were loyal to themselves and the Company, they could make it a very successful affair. They would have yards to their hands, and would bo able to get to their homes in reasonable time, and would divide the profits among themselves. Tf the farmers were in earnest, lie suggested that the minimum number of shares to be taken up bo five. In Napier and elsewhere, the co-operative auctioneering firms had been a success, and there was no reason why it should not be a success here. Mr T. Wyeth stated that from where' be was living the present yards gave him two days' driving. Tho yards at the Waipoua would be a great convenience to him. Mr C. Ln.ng stated that under' the new conditions the farmers might get their stock sold at 2 per cent, instead of 3% per c»nt. Mr T. Wyeth said that bo had promised his stork to the first firm that opened in the Waipoua sale-yards.

The Chairman said that, so far as his firm was concernrd. thev were not prepared to take up the business themselves. The yards were theirs, however, and they were prepared to put them in thorough order, and let them at a low rental. Mr C. C. JacKSon asked if, in the event of the farmers failing to subscribe £IOOO. the W.F.C.I. would initiate sales on the farmers guaranteeing their stock.. Tho Chairman said that if a guar r antee was given bv farmers, his Association might favourable consider the matter. Thev were not prepared to go into the business unless they had a guarantee. If the farmers, had confidence in themselves. tbev would form a company. The W.F.C.A. was willing to take £2OO worth or, shares. Mr Heckler asked if there was any truth in 4 b'V statement that an atlemot v-as, made to prevent sales being held' in tho Waipoua yards.

The Chairman Paid there was no power to prevent them i'rom holding in the Woinoua vm"ds. It wns 0 freehold. ""d +Jt«* crmM r]n r.-. thov provided that t.bev did create a nuisance. Mr Heckler pointed nut that tlm 1 notion °err, '"id forced out of Pa 1 merston No rth. Thp Chp.irrn«.n c -:i|d t-lin Palmcrston f-ord' 1 . VP"" i" t'Mvn. Mr Cottlo stated +W. ftm WpWuu yards wore more handy to railways than the Solway yard?.

Mr Joseph Morris suggested that the voice of the meeting he taken as to wether a company should he ed, or whether a guarantee should be given by the farmers to the W.F.C.A. in the event of their stock sales. ,Hethought tho offer of the W.F.C.A. a very good one. The Chairman agreed to this course being taken, and 011 a show of hands, fifteen of those present expressed themselves in favour of forming a cooperative company, and twelve in favour of the guarantee being given the W.F.C.A.

Mr R. D. McKenzie said he was quite in sympathy with the proposal to form a company. jKq had the figures of a • Hamilton' company, which showed what could be clone. This comnauy had been formed in 1907, and last year a profit was made of £12,206. a rebate .wo* - . given of 20 per cent, and rebates to the sellers of 2£ per cent. Mr McKenzie emphasized the fact that Wairarapa farmers did not mill together as they should do. They had a chaneo now. and would have only themselves to blame if they missed it. He did not think the capital of I the proposed 'company sufficient. It should bo at least £SOOO.

Mr Jumps Ewart «■''id lie was authorised to represent Mr «T. McCrfto, of .Weraiti. whoso sympathies wore with tllO movement. Mr J. Morris suggested that the meeting anpoint a canva.-.ser to canvass the district and see what support. could bo obtained. The Chairman thought, tho sugpestion a good one. Tho Board of the Association would meet on the last Tue*dav of the month. i Mr G. H. Clarke did not think a

thorough canvass of the district could he made in time for the next meeting of tho Board. The Chairman agreed with Mr McKenzie tliat the canity! of the Company should he sufficient. At the ,samo time he pointed out that the W.F.C.A. was willing to finance approved marks. j Lists were handed round, and shares to tho value of £740 wero taken up in the room. A " sub-committee consisting of Messrs .T. Morris. P. Cotter. B„ D McKenzie and C. C. Ramsden was set up to canvass for further shares, and to report at tho meeting to ho held in a month.