THE WAIKATO FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1818, 1 March 1884, Page 2

THE WA IK ATO FA RMERS' CO-OPERA TI VE ASSOCIA TIONS.

TO THE EDITOK. Sir. — Co-operation is not as some may think in a spirit of opposition to any trade, as a trade, but rather as a protection to its members. Auckland contains many rings ; Home may have the effect of raising the prices, of our produce ; hence, we must try to make some profit for ourselves, but we must not forget that all co-operative associations in England hive not been successful; it is only where careful, honest management has been the rule that success has followed. The Rochdale society is a working man's association ; it began in 1844 with a capital of £28, and at the end of 1877 it had 9722 members and a fund of £280,275. The Civil Service stoye of London in its first year, 18G7, sold £21,322 worth of goods, and in 1877 it sold £1,041,204 worth of goods. It has 4500 shaieholders and many thousand clients, who may buy goods on payment of a small sum, but this has only been achieved in a great measure by the shareholders not drawing their dividends ; in fact, they were content with getting their goods at a lower figure than the ordinary retail price. In 18G4 the north of England Co-operative Wholesale Society (Limited), was established ; its object is to supply goods wholesale to co-operative societies; they import foreign articles, buy large quantities of provisions and dry goods in all parts of England, and are also bankers. We have all read about what has been done at Christchurch, and its great success ; what that society has done, may be done at Auckland by our proposed co-operative association, by having men to manage who are trustworthy, and fully capable of managing a large business ; and unless such men are appointed it will be better not to start at all. However good the men may be who manage, I think they must be located at Auckland, because, if they are to be in a position to buy and sell to advantage, they must be in constant contact, as it were, with other business men, and that cannot be at Hamilton, which otherwise would be a central position. The association if starter* with thoroughly good managers, and, I am told, about 5000 shares taken, which means a capital of £5000, must ultimately be a big thing, and a great responsibility rests upon those who meet on the 10th March to, if possible, inaugurate thin association. I trust they will excuse ray making these remarks before that meeting, but I do so with the hope that they will have the serious consideration of all those who are interested in the matter, so that they may be prepared to work when the tiir.e comes. Mr Editor, ask others to give publicity to their opinions ; help in thought as well as money is wanted, and it will be a great pleasure to see our Waikato farmers pulling together in a good cause. By unity we may do ourselves much good in many ways, without injury to others. — I am, &c, J. Newlakd. Ngaroto, 25th February, 1884.

Mr J. S. Buckland advertise! an extensive sale of drapery, ironmongery, andhomehold furniture, tbe property of Mr K. McDonald, on Saturday, the oth inst., at Hamilton. Messrs W. J. Hunter and Co. will «11 at the Ohaupo Yards on Tuesday, March 11th, immediately before the ordinary cattle sale, choice dairy cows in full milk and to calve, calvet, and fire acres of growing potatoes, pood crop, all the property of Mr Miller, Te Awamutn, who has sold his farm. At the usual sale on the same day they will offer nixed cattle from" native country, cowi, younfltoers, chltcs, fa.t*nd itore (toffy**