The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

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

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Ecjual and exact justice to all men, Ot whatsoever st«Ue or persuasion, religious or

political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain.

{SATURDAY, MARCH 8, 2884.

If the farming community of this district do not know something of co-operation by this tiiuo their case is hopeless. Though, as we have lemarked in a previous article, the discussion might have been a little more general, a large amount of hard thinking has been bestowed on the subject. And what is the result? Why, ever since we opened our columns to a consideration of the scheme, not a single argument has been adduced tending to show that the principle of co-operation would not work successfully, or that the district is not yefc ripe for the change. This sui'ely means something. Farmerr, we know, at least the fact is continually; dinned in our ears, are apathetic — if they do not approve, they lack the spirit to oppose. o;hat may bo sq, few the

farmers can have no earthly interest , in objecting to cooperation; in their case it can produce but one result, it can but increase the sum of their comfort. It is the trading class, the retailers, who, it might have been expected, would have broken a lance against the alleged enemy. The absoluto silence of this soction of the community is, if we accept the truth of a very old proverb, tantamount to an admission that cooperation, after all, is not such a spectre as tho heated imagination of some people has made it out to be. In view of the meeting to be held at Hamilton next Monday evening, and recognising the necessity for ensuring an intelligent appreciation of the claims of the proposed association, we cannot do better than reproduce in this column a portion of a very excellent letter, signed " Waikato Farmer," which appeared in our issue of the 19th of January last: — How is it that any difficulty whatever is experienced in starting the society ? is it, as> some seem to think, that a certain proportion of our settlers fear either an .ictive or passive opposition from monetary institutions, land speculators, and others of that class. Let us look quietly .it the last supposition, and pass in review the various interests that some persons might expect to offer opposition to the proposed society, whicn, once established, would do more to advance the prosperity of the farming interests of tins colony than all the other companies and societies put together. First let us t.ike the banks : Would they oppose it ! Ceitainly not. The banks are large creditois of the farmers, and would only be too glad to see overdiafts reduced. Many ot the b.mks are also large direct or indirect holders of land, and to think that they would oppose any movement which would result in an improved condition of things, and thereby enhance the value of their properties, is to suppose that bank diiectors and managers shut their eyes to their own interests. They know well that prosperous times to the farmcis means decreased ovei drafts, a letting loose of locked up capital, payment of many a shady debt, and large inore.ised value to the various securities held by them. Next let us take the case of storekeepers in general. .Should they look %\ith coldness or positive enmity against our co-operative society ? Certainly not, if they are wise. To the large wholesale houses in Auckland prospenty to the fanner means a large decrease in the liabilities of country storekeepers, and shortening of credit terms, and the consequent letting loose of capital to such an extent that a business that requires, say £20 000 to finance it, could be carried on for half that amount. To the country storekeeper prosperity means a freidom fiom the thraldom of the -wnolesale houses (because settlers that now get long credits would soon be able to pay leady money for a large proportion ot their purchases), it means a certain decrease in bad debts, and as certain an incHMse in their genet al turnover. It is no doubt true that some goods they are no-n .supplying would, in comae of time, be imported direct by the society, but even it it were so, the incteased piospeiity would call for such a lamely increased supply of extra home comforts and lnxunes that they could not help but be gainers in the end. I need only, I think, look at one other class of men— certainly not tho least important to farmeis in general— l mean auctioneers. To these gentlemen many of us owe a debt of gratitude, and some of us another kind of debt not so easily scoicd off ; still I look upon them as being as wide awake as most of us, and I cannot for a moment anticipate any hostilitj heie. Suiely they must prefer ready money, or at most short credits to the long credits and the bill renewals they are now so familiar with. They cannot need reminding that prosperity to the agiicultural and pastoial community means an immense increase in the number of farms, an increased demand for all classes of stock, and an increase by thousands and tens of thousands of our herds and flocks. Who will gain more than our friends the auctioneers V I trust I have "pioved to demonstration " to all doubting hearts that they have no cause to fear opposition from the vaiious interests spoken of above. Nay, more, I think I have proved that in self-interest only, they should lend a helping rather than a hostile hand to a society that seeks not only its own well being, but the interest and prosperity of the whole colony. We do not purpose to entor just now into a consideration of the details of the jH-oposed association. These, of cour&e, must largely depend upon circumstances, and must be perfected by the board of directors. Our views regarding the position the society should take up are already known. The intention of the promoters is to fix the amount of the capital at £10,000, in 10,000 shares of .£1 each, payable in Is monthly calls. Now, if every farmer in this district takes up only live shares half the c ipital will be subscribed ; but as many will take take more than five, and as none are too poor to take that number, the whole £10,000 might be raised without any very tremendous effort, and this effort once made will bo amply recompensed.

Otauo is the land of political unrest. Its people are never satisfied, never content. Such a condition per so is healthy ; in these days of commercial competition contentment means stagnation, and the restless, pushing spirits alone achieve fame, or, what is perhaps better, money. But we commend this go-ahead course only when it is accompanied by honesty of purpose ; the world, blunt as its ' feelings have grown, is not yet past reprehending the man who seeks to enrich himself by picking other people's pockets. Now Otago, or rather Dunedin, belongs to this undesirable class. The notables of the •' commercial capital" are never tired of preaching against political peculation as it is occasionally exhibited in others, while their own claims to purity are so insignificant as not to be worth mentioning. Once upon a time, we all know, New Zealand was looked upon as a dependency of Otago, and although the facilities in the way of quick transit and cheap fares provided by the Union Steamship Company and the railways ought to have smothered that notion long ago, they do not appear to have effected that purpose. It is not enough that i-40,000 is to be spent in building a new railway station where none is wanted, that tens of thousands of pounds should be thrown away in the construction of a railway which can serve no useful purpose for many years to comoj and which even a large minority of the people of Otago itseJf admit i is, premature ; it is not enough that the General Government of the colony should lavish money upon the^r harbour and bu,i)d their

wharves, but they must, forsooth, form a „ Constitutional Association whose object -shall be to see that Otago gets its rights ! A Pre&f. Association telegram gives us the following information concerning this proposed institution: — "It is proposed, upon the suggestion of the Hon. W. H. Reynolds, to form an Otago Constitutional Association, which will provide a certain sum per annum, under individual guarantee. Its affairs will be managed by a committee and permanent secrV tary. The duties of the secretaifr will be to make himself acquainted with every political question or subject throughout the colony, and to report to the committee upon every question affecting the interest of the colony and province. The objects of the association are thus stated :—: — 1. To watch all colonial expenditure, and to remonstrate against extravagance in each individual case. 2. By public meetings, the circulation of pamphlets, and otherwise to educate the public on the questions of the day. To expose abuses, and guard public interests. 4. To advocate and advance whatever is for the general good. 5. To secure greater unity between the settlers of the Middle Island. 6. To secure two or more local jgovernments for the colony, with a' federal Government at Wellington, dealing only with such subjects as are of general colonial concern ; all local matters to be dealt with by the proposed local legislature. 7. The association is not under any circumstances to interfere with election -',but to leave each member to his private judgment in the choice of tives." The people of Otago are i pally a very humourous set, but their humour is of the unconscious sort ; they are funny without being aware of it. It is the possession of such a quality that makes Capt. Cuttle such fine company, that enables Sam Weller to shake our sides with honest laughter. Witness No. 1 of the objects, quoted above ; witness No. 7. Having digested these, read a telegram in another column relating to the doings of the Otigo Vigilance Committee, and then endeavour to determine which quality most strongly marks the Otngan character — lU unblushing rapacity, its solemn assumption of virtue, or its genuine, if ponderous and unconscious humour.

Echoes from the Cafe are unavoidably hold over. The interruption to the cable still continuing, no European hev\ -> was received last uighfc. There will be a good day's sport at T.uipiri on St. Patrick's Day, counting of horse-racing and athletic sports. Saturday return tickets will be issued by the Railway Depaitment on S. Patrick's Day from any station to any station, available for that clay only. The Rev- Mr Dewsbury will deliver his popular lecture on "Tom Hood " at the Public Hall, Alexandra, on the evening of the 10th ins>t. The pi "ceeds will be devoted to the Wesleyan Church funds. The pleasure of a moonlight trip down the liver in the Delta, to the strains of the Hamilton Band, is offeied the people of Hamilton on Tuesday night. Should the weather piove fine, a very enjoyable evening should be spent. Th"c fare is a \ cry moderate one. A concert in aid of Trinity Church Organ Fund will be held in the Public Hall, Cambridge, on Wednesday ne\t. Several leading Auckland amateurs have promised their assistance, in addition to the local talent, and from the progiamme published a pleasant evening's enteitamment may be expected. After a long spell of dry weather rain has come at last, and is generally welcomed, as pastures were feeling the effects of drought. Up to the past few days wheat crops were being gathered in in the Tamahere district, but we believe that at present there is barely a stook that has not been safely thatched. The trustee of the Presbyterian Church, Cambridge, are at present discusmg pioposed alterations ,in that building, rendeied necessary by the near appioach of the railway line. It is proposed to clo^e the present main entrance, substituting a portico on the Western orVictono Stieet side. The new organ and pulpit will bo placed at the north end of the church. The date of the autumn meeting of the Cambridge Jockey Club has been rearranged for Wednesday and Thursday, the 30th April and Ist May, so as not to clash with other meetings in the Auckland district. Money prize* to the amount of £3(50 are advertised, besides a siher cup for the Maiden Steeplechase, and a silver tea and coffee service for the Waikato Plate, and in consequence a large field may be anticipated. To the Editor.— Sir,— lf your corlespond^nt who writes about the Cambridge cemetery will make hi-> complaint so as it can bo dealt with, and sign his name to the charges he makes against the trustees, tl ere is little doubt but that anything that is wrong will bo looked into. Perhaps your correspondent would be able to give a little time or money towards rooting up the poplar shoots as one of the disgiacoful things in that sacred enclosure. —I am, Sec, A Trustee.— [The facts upon which our coi respondent based his complaints are known to us, but they could not be more fully noticed without giving pain. If, however, " Trustee " will enquire into the circumstances surrounding a late funeial at which an Auckland clergyman officiated, he will learn something. — En.] Now that there are other coaches than the one for Hamilton running from Cambridge it behoves pas&engers to see that their luggage is propeily bestowed or it may meet the fate tha 4 ; befel a portmanteau on Thursday morning. Mr Erioko ts Whenake, native assessor to the Land Court, and staying at the National had placed his portmanteau, destined for Auckland, on the hotel verandah. Shortly afterwards, on Carter's coach for Rotorua coming up, someone carefully bestow ed the baggage therein and at 7 o'clock away it went. Fortunately tor Mr Whenake the mistake was discovered soon afterwards and a mounted messenger was despatched, who succeeded in orerhauling the Rotorua coach and rescuing the portmanteau in time for it to accompany its owner to his intended destination. We beg to call attention to the meeting of the Waikato Rowing Club, tonight, at (xwynne's Hamilton Hotel. It is now some months since the club was started, under apparently very fair auspices, over thirty having put down their names as members. When the call for subscriptions, however, was made, barely half-a-score answered. The state of matters at present is that the club has a shed on the lake, and some cix pounds odd in hand. The Auckland Rowing Club has offerred a pair-oared riciff, oars included, for £6 10s, and if a few of those who promised would pay up, there might be a boat on the lake at once. Some say they are willing to pay when they see a boat there, but the committee has very wisely set its face against anything except cash transactions. We sincerely hope that to-night's meeting will succeed In raising the needful, and thus show that Hamilton has some of the English love of sport left in it. The following extracts from a letter received from the manager of the Mahurangi Co-operative Store, will be of interest at the present juncture. The letter is a reply to a communication from one of the promoters of the proposed Waikato association : — " Re. amount of capital required this company was commenced with £250 in £1 shares, which has been increased by sale of shares to £587, but you will , find it will ' conduce greatly to the «u,c<;es,« <j\ {foe jf/you, qan ppnv

mence with £500 in hand ; that would enable yo» to take discount on all accounts if judiciously managed. There are two ways of working co-operative companies, viz , the one as a purely money-making concern with a view to high dividends, the other (and I think most preferable one) is to give the shareholders the benefit of co-operation in the price of the goods. Some have tried a medium couise, but it has generally failed. With regard to giving credit, that should only be done to shareholder", and should not exceed a monthly account." Robson's diorama of the Egyptian War was exhibited for the first time in Hamilton at Le Quesne'b Hall last night. Tho night was very wet, and hence there was not u large attendance, but all present went away thoroughly satisfied with what they had seen. The pictures, which aic well drown, and represent all the principal incidents in the late war, as well as scenes in England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, together with groups of statuary, are exhibited by the aid of the oxy-hydrogen lights ; the descriptive lecture was not the least noticeable poitionof the entertainment. In clearlanguageMrßobsonprives a graphic history of the war, and faithfully describes the places of interest noted. At the clcwo of the entertainment A number of presents were distributed, and gave full satisfaction. The entertainment i-> one we can heartily commend. Young people, especially, will receive both instruction find delight, and at a time when suitable entertainments are scarce, parents should net lose tins oppoitmnty. The diorama will be exhibited at the Public Hall, Hamilton West, to-night, on which occasion a number of new pictures will be shown, and some valuable gifts presented to the audience.