THE FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION. Public Meeting at Te Awamutu

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 2002, 7 May 1885, Page 3

THE FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION. Public Meeting at Te Awamutu

Pukslvni' to .1 notice in The Waikato Times a public meeting was held on Monday evening in connection with tlie co-operative association. Owing to the threatening nature of the weathei the attendance was small. Mr Newland uas callt'd to the t'h.ur, .md s.ud that Mr Gane, who was piesent, would explain the itason of Mr Graham's absence. The Chninnan then evplained tho object of the meeting, and the great advantages of co operation. Not long ago he bought goods to the value of £14 from the a^socia tion, and he got them for JL'l 10s less than ho could have procuied them elscwheie. He thought such a Having in sucl^ a small amount of goods as fourteen pounds' woith a handsome diudend. . The association, as a rule, sold better goods than the merchants, and for less money than the dealers could afford to sell them. It was not intended fiom the hist to make largo piohtf, or give large dividends. He thought that getting goods foi less money than would be paid in other places, and of a supeiioi and purer quality, was a good dividend for the fanner. He had taken twenty shaies in the assoua tion, and it was the best investment of the kind he had made since he came to New Zealand. He sold hut pioduce foi better puces than fonneily, and he had had less trouble in doing ho. The association did not want to pay dnulends of ten per cent , the object being to sell a good and pnie article for an low a puce as was consistent with the working of it. He suggested that shau-holdeis should foi a tune leave then dividends with the associ ition, md they could be applied to the e\ti,n i<>n of its operations. Mote shaieholdeis were lequiied, and it was intended th.it in the futiuc business will be done with shaieholdero only. Aftei explaining the success attending kindred institutions the chairman intioduced Mr (Jane, who said he regretted being the only one out of the district to adihess the meeting. He expected toh.ivc b> en thoie with Mr Giahain for the purpose i.f answering any questions relative to the working of the association and not to address the meeting. He regretted Mi Graham's absence. That gentleman had a lecture prepared, but ad he had received a telegram from Sir Julius Vogel relative to Hamilton Ixirough affairs, and as an immediate answer was required, he had to attend the council meeting instead of coming here. The a&soctationl had gumn veiy lapidly, much more so than it was .it tiist anticipated, and in order to keep pace with the increased work it was thought advisable to increase the capital by otfeiing moie shares. A few hundreds of the original shares were still left, but it v\,is intended to put more on the niaiket, as it might be advisable to enter into the me it business and milling, as there was a necessity for having the wheat giound into flour. The scheme for entering into the meat business was, lie believed, almost matured. More money was required, as the expansion of the business was souk thing remarkable. The last two months' returns were at the rate of about £.">O,OOO a year. As theie appealed to be a willing ness among the fanners to help the association along, the directing felt encouraged to offer more shares. Although the opciatioiis were so large, there had been nocommeici.il difficulty ; they had been able to steer clear of any rocks ; but as the capital was small it was necessaiy to inciease it in oidei to maintain the sainelarge business, and foi the future they would confine their business to -h.ireholde.is. Theie hod always beon an endeavour to find the best market possible for produce, l/'t them take, for example, the fruit marked. The sales during the reason were from USO to £100 a week. Most of the fiuit supplied came, from the ninth, but, of couixe, in time the whole country would supply the lii.ii Let, and would of course reap the .same benefit. Unless moie money weie forthcoming it would be neceslary to lestrict the business somewhat. 15y that he meant they would not be able to extend its operations any further than they had gone, for the present at least. The butcheis in Auckland had lately been giving higher prices for mutton, and they were seriously thinking of raising the retail price another penny per pound. As regards this particular busmen, it could be entered into with pi oftt. It was proposed to have a slaughter house in Waikato and shops in Auckland to sell the meat. The directors would like to see this meat project carried out by Waikato hhaieholders. There w.is a good profitable business to be dono in this direction. The auctioned .-> were not prepaicd to go on with the weighing of cattle, but the association would weigh them either alive or dead. As he sudbefoie, he did not come to give a b-c-turo, as that was left im the hands <>t a very able man, and he trusted there would be. i good attendance on the Monday befoie full moon, when Mr (iiahani would make a point of being present to deliver his lecture. Mr Gane then invited questions. Mr Huntauked if there was any piospect of granaries being elected at some cential place. Mr Gane said they had moved iuth.it direction by asking the Government for vires on the railway line at the various centres, but no encouragement had bum given, although ho had written several times about it. He hoped before next season they would be prepared. Theie wis a site at Frankton given by Mi -To'iy, but that wonld be kept m abe>aucv to nee whether it will be required foi a mill. Mi- Hunt asked if the association would advance money on the giain stoied m the granaries. It would be the means of inducing more people to become shaiehi.ldeis. Mr (Jane had no doubt that in the long run they would be able t > d<> so. He would lik -3 to heir any snjj^eiti"iis any gentlem in present would in ike as to the in iiiageinen f ; .if the, a>s ici.iti >u. Was there auv thing done that should not b<> done, oi undone that should bo done? He would be 1 nippy to hear any suggestions. Mi .fohn Kiy would like to kno»v Mr ( tane'r. opinion about holding an auction sale, s,iy, evei\ fortnight, of goods si nt down to Auckland. He thought it would be this means peihaps of getting bi-ttei prices. Mi (Jane said that idea hod already been befoie the dnectois, but some were of opinion that the tendency of auctions would bo to lower the price of goods When goods weie, scarce there an .auction would be of benefit, but when the market was stocked with any paiticular line, the reverse would be the case. However, he ho]>ed to see a fortnightly sale, as many odd lots would thus be got rid of. Mr (Jane said the association had made arrangements with the United Insurance Company for amying on the business. The advantage would Ixj that the commissions thun earned would help to swull the dividends. If shareholders would insure with thn association, they would find it to their advantage. Mr Hurst asked if it would not be advisable to start tinning meat, as theie would be no opposition fiom the butcheis in this branch. Mr Gane said that would involve a largei amount of capital than puhaps the association could afford, but they had sent to America to know the cost of a tinning plant, foi that is part of the scheme, but he did not think it would hurt the associ. .ition to compete with the butchei s. The farmer would benefit by it by getting a defimtr price per huudied for his meat and definite weights. The Chairman said that every conceivable project for the benefit of the association had been cntei tamed by the directors, who had given their services willingly, and at no small amount of ext>onse o aiid inconvenience to themselves. All they asked for was that #ie, public should do their part, and help the ohhoci ation by taking shares. Mr Gane. proposed a vote of tlianki to thr chairman. Mr Westn«y seconded, and m a few appropriate lfin'irks expressed regret at Mr New-land's approaching departure from the district. A vot« of thanks to Mr Gane brought the meeting to a close.— (Own Coi respondent.) ■

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