WAIKATO FARMERS' COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1821, 8 March 1884, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.

TO THE EDJIOR. Sir,— l had a latent hope that my letter of the Ist inst. would have brought out a goodly crop of letters on this subject. It is strange what apathy there is among&t farmers, even when an effort is being made to do us good. We all know that working men, tradesmen and professionalmen unite to protect their class interests — and why should not farmers do the same thing. Co-opeiation seems to be moving the minds of some of your readers slowly ; a quicker movement and more discussion would have been better, but a numerous attendance at the meeting on Monday will be a grand remedy. This farmers' association is intended, I believe, to benefit its uwnatera jn, two tp buy axtitd<®

we want at lower price than we have been giving, and to get us better prices for our produce— in other words, to follow out Sir Robeit Pesl's maxim— viz., to buy in the cheapest market and to sell in the clearest. This golden rule i<? acted upon by all mercantile men : Our directors must try to make the association a mercantile success for the member?, whatever may be done in the way of paying dividends, and a great consideration will be to have a large number of small shareholders. Capitalists to invest merely to get a large dividend are not wanted ; they will be able to employ their money elsewhere. I thank " Waikato" for his kind notice of my letter. He has evidently thought this subject well over, and he has given one excellent warning— not to invest large sums in buildings or other business. That is good, sound reasoning. He also hays, the business done for the first few years will be purely an agoncy one. Here, again, he .shows great caution, for it really means that we must not be in a hurry to start in a large way. Lei us walk slowly at first, and a& we gain strength by experience, we may leain Lo ruu. But running or walking, our business must be pure business transactions, and no sentiment in the management. Well, Mr Editor, I hope the managers of the association will keep the contents of " Waikato's" letter constantly in mind. I hope the representative of the Red and White Roses will attend the meeting on Monday. He may be able to give valuable information as to the working, having been a manager. No doubt the meeting %\ ill bs glad t-i learn all they can before they decide upon what foundation the association is to be built up, and who are to bo the managers when erected. — I am, &c, .T. Newlanu. Ngaroto, fith March, 1954.