NORTH NEW ZEALAND COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1869, 28 June 1884, Page 2

NORTH NEW ZEALAND COOPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.

TO THE KDirOU. Sm, — I am pleased to see that the directors of this association are re-considering the subject of opening dep6ts in Waikato for the transaction of business. There aie a very large number of shareholder* who have thought all along that it mm* a mistake to close the business at Ha'nilton, and, indeed, who are of opinion that a branch at Cambridge would pay equally well, and from enquiries made it seems that they have a lot of reason on their side. Whilst giving the directors eveiy credit for then good and economical intentions in closing the depot--, I fancy that they could not have been aware of the amount of business that was to bo done. In the matter of horse feed alone some £3000 worth of fodder is consumed in and immediately around Hamilton eveiy year, the.ie being at least 120 hot.ses constantly handfed in the place. The coal trade has gi\ en at least 30s per week netfc profit from the o itsct, and is likely to increase every week for some time, and besides this there is all the seed and manuie trade to be considered. oily thice days ago a farmer came into Hamilton with an order on which tho commission was some £(>, and finding the cooperativestoreclosedcravetheorder to a l<.cal auctioneer and agent, not cai ing to take the trouble to write to No. 1!) (^ueen-stieet, and wait a week for an answer. Local agents are a mistake, as ably set foitli in your leader of Thursday. They will be too much interested in their own business (wh'ch also must often dash with the cooperative) to pay muck attentiou to us, and besides their commission will amount to a very laige sum, quite sufficient to mn a depot or two in the distiict. Purchasers much piefor doing business personally to doing it by letter, and many a_ score of fauneis would lathei lide 15 or 20 miles to see and hear what they were going to get than tiust to lottos. This feeling exists to a veiy great e\tent, and, as expressing the views of a large number of the shaicholdeis thioughout the Waikato, I s,iy that the directors will be doing the correct thing in gi\ing a local depot or two a fair tiial for a tune, and if it should not bo found to be icquisite let them close it ; but if it does not pay, then I for one fail to see that the association will be a success, or is requiied in our midst, as it is out of the question for shareholders to have to write to Auckland (as they undoubtedly would ha\o to do) for information first, and for goods after waids. I trust that at the meeting on Tuesday this subject will receive the consideration it merit". — I am, T. G. SANDES.