MEETING OF FARMERS AT OHAUPO.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2345, 21 July 1887, Page 2

MEETING OF FARMERS AT OHAUPO.

A MEKTIXO of settlers was hold at Delaney a Hotel, Uhaupo, on Tuesday, for the imrpo.se of considering the action of tinAuckland auctioneers in advancing their charges one per cent. The chair was occupied by Mr Jos. (Jane, and there was a largo attendance.

The chairman, in opening the proceedings, said it was the opinion of the fanners that the present charges were quite high enough. They had therefore resolved to meet together and loam from the-auction-eers the reason of this advance. The worst feature in the affair was that the charges had been advanced without notice, no reason being given. The .settlers were not opposed to the auctioneers, because they could not well do without them, but be hoped soon to sec their cattle sold by live weight. At present the graziers ’ were vertimised very largely. He said there were sacrifices twice a week in the district, the auctioneers being the priests, the butchers the gods and the farmers the victims. He did not see why the auctioneers should not have made better arrangements. There were but two firms, and they could turn the tables on the butchers just as well as on the farmers, holding the balance fairly.

Mr Salmon related how a couple of years ago the Auckland butchers endeavoured to form a ring to keep up the price of meat. Had they succeeded the condition of the farmers in Waikato would have been different. The fact was there were too many retail shops, most of them kept hymen who never meant to pay for their meat, and who consequently undersold the fair dealer. The Auckland butchers would be quite, willing to pay 30s per lOOlhs. for meat if the farmers could only show them how it could he done. Mr John Fisher moved, “That in the opinion of this meeting the extra one per cent, now charged by the auctioneers on live stock consigned to Komnera and Newmarket saleyards is, on account of the diminished profits obtained by breeders and graziers, a tax that should not be imposed and the auctioneers are respectfully requested to return to the former scale of charges.” Ho said that a.in many cases fat stuck was sold at an actual loss to the farmer the extra charges were uncalled for. As to had debts being a reason it was very generally believed that these were causedjby reckless trading, giving credit where they ought not to have given it. There were too many sale yards which all cost money. The expenses wore no heavier now than they were some years ago and five times as many cattle were put through the auctioneers hands now. He would have thought less of the contemplated chance if full notice had been given. He warned the auctioneers that a combination on the part of the settlers to get a third auctioneer might do them great injury. The motion was seconded by Mr Dodd, of Tauwhare. Mr Tierney' moved, as an amendment, “ That a third auctioneer be called in, and that the meeting hind itself to support him.” This was seconded pro forma'by Mr W. Higginson. Mr John Fisher asked the proposers of the amendment to let it stand over, as it was desirable to try and work in harmony with the auctioneers if possible. The motion was then put, and carried unanimously. The auctioneers present were asked to give their opinions on the matter.

Mr C. .Shirley (representing Messrs A. Backhand and Co.) said it was hard to ask Waikato auctioneers to answer for the town business. He would advise the meeting to wait till a reply from the Auckland auctioneers had been received.

The Chairman was requested to send a copy ot the motion to Auckland immediately, inviting an early reply, and the meeting was adjourned until that day fortnight. The usual vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the business.