WAIKATO FARMERS' COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1819, 4 March 1884, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.

1O THE KDirOU. Sin. — I, and I am sui c most of my fellow settlers, are thankful to Mr Newland for coming foi ward at this time and endeavouring to tluow some light on the working of co-opoiative associations. The statistics he gives us show that the project has been a success in England, and that tact ought to weigh with us in starting a somewhat similar business in this the country of our adoption. What Mr Newland says about management is only too true ; without good management, and what is more, good supervision by the directors, the thing will not be the ->ucceas it would be otherwise. In fact the work of the association will be a puie business transaction, and will allow of no sentiment in its management. So far Mr Newland and I are at one. But when he says it is absolutely necessary to manage the concern from Auckland I must beg to join issue with him. Doubtless there is much to be said in favour of his proposal, but in my opinion theie is much moie to be said in favour of the management and head quai ters being in Waikato. Premises in Auckland cannot be got now for anything but very high rates, so much so indeed that it i» a well-known fact that tradesmen carrying on business in Waikato can actually afford to sell cheaper than their brethren in Auckland. Again, the directors, it is to be hoped, would be all residents in the Waikato, and I can conceive considerable disadvantages in having the management in Auckland with dnectors in Waikato. To my thinking, the business the association will do for the fhst few years of its existence will be purely an agency one, and a good man paid a commission as agent in Auckland, and kept well infoiined from the head quaiters in Waikato, will bs ample for all ordinal y purposes for some yeais to emip. While oi> this subject, I would earnestly deprecate the sinking of any laige amount of capital in the acquisition of buildings or established business. I cannot but think the icsults fiom the Oanteibury Association would have been very much more encoui aging had they not sunk 611,000 in the acquisition of their site ; still even with tins handicap they have succeeded beyond their most sanguine hopes. But, notwithstanding their success. I would piefer that the Waikato Association be started as an agency business, pure and simple. — I am, &c, ' Waikato.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — A few words have been omitted in my letter, inserted in to-day's Times, to this effect: "Auckland contains, many lings, some may have the effect of depressing the prices of our produce, and others of raising the prices of articles we have to buy," hence we must try, etc. — I am, etc., J. Newlaxd. Ngaroto, March Ist.