WAIKATO FARMERS CLUB.
Tub first ordinary meeting of the above Club was held at 7 p.m. on Monday, in the office of the Piako County Council. A goodly number of farmers were present, presided over by Mr G. E. Clark. The minutes of the promoters having been confirmed, a large number of names of farmers anxious to join the association were handed in, and the whole of them were elected.
The Chairman thought the present timo a fitting one to review some of the disadvantages under which the farmers had been labouring for years past; and he proceeded to lay before the members his own ideas as to the working of the Club. Referring to the subject of cereals, he said he believed that three-fourths of the wheat grown in the jirovinco had been sent to other colonies. The farmers had never been placed in such a difficult position before. The main support of the country was derived from the land ; but of this fact Aucklandors seemed to lose sight. The farmers were entitled to more consideration that they had received up to the present, and they should endeavour to discover why their wheat was not appreciated in Auckland to anything like the extent it should be. The frozen meat trade it was thought would help them ; but they could not do anything very great in that direction, as they had not a sufficient quantity to keep a large export trade going. The manager of the Frozen Meat Company stated that they could not compete against the Americans, unless they could purchase at a much lower rate. One of the first endeavours of the Club should bo to find out some method of enhancing the value of their meat, for if the Frozen Meat Company had thousands of pounds passing through their hands, it was at the expense of the farmers. He then alluded to the live stock s.iles at Auckland, and said he believed the railway authorities would give them a night train to send their stock by, if the Auckland livestocksales were all hold on one day of the week instead of on two, as at present. He had known cattlo that had been sent by him and they did not reach the sale yards till ten o'clock, Mr Hudson had written stating that the reason the cattle were delayed was because, ho had not provided .sufficient engine power, consequent upon his not knowing the number that were to be despatched by the train. This was a matter that he trusted the Club would deal with at an early date. Another matter that he thought had not boon properly treated was the question of " middle-men." Nearly every organisation of the farmers had endeavoured ta do without the " middleman." This ho thought was wrong. They should endeavour to co-operate with him and gain his assistance ; for if they cried out against him and placed obstacles in his way, he (tho speaker) believed it would be their death-blow. He trusted the members of the Club would go on a good and liberal basis, and endeavour to improve their own jiositiou without killing somebody else. (Applause.) Mr Tribe said ho had been told in Auckland, that when the millers of that town wanted Waikato wheat, tho farmers would not sell, and consequently supplies had to bo obtained from the South. They hnd evidently waited too long as tho market was falling. Mr Forrest contended that Waikato wheat would make flour second to none. The only way ho saw out of the difficulty was to send the grain through Auckland and on to Sydney. Ho would send his it tho others would do the same.
Mr Fisher thought there was not now enough to export, and therefore they were heavily handicapped. Their wheat had been pronounced, by competent judges, better than that grown in the South, and they should strive to get the Aucklanders to appreciate it more. He hoped Ihe matter of one sale day a week in Auckland would not be lost siglit of, for he considered that a sine qua non ; although he believed Messrs Hunter and Nolan would be found on the opposition side, on that question. The Chairman then moved "That the Managing Committee write to the District Manager of Railways, asking him to arrange for one special night cattle train ppr week, and upon receipt of his reply 'to ascertain from Messrs A. Buekland and Sons, and Messrs Hunter and Nolan, whether they would be willing to hold one fat stock sale jointly each week."— Seconded by Mr W. Scott and carried.
Mr .fames Forrest made a few remarks upon ensilnge, and said ho was astonished to see in Tin: Waikato Tucks—a paper that had strongly counselled the farmers to go in largely for ensilage—a report of a meeting of milk suppliers held at Cambridge West, at which ensilage was " universally condemned." He presumed those gentlemen were alluding to maize ensilage, for ho had found grass ensilage good for feeding fat cattle, and also for producing a good supply of milk. He then, in accordance with a notice of motion given at the previeus meeting, moved " That a petition be presented to the House of Hepresentatives, praying that the House will see tit to pass an Act providing for the proper supervision of the sale of manures." He said they had to get out of their present position regardless »>f exports, middlemen or anybody else. He bad travelled all through Waikato, and on all sides had heard bitter regrets that they had had anything to ilo with the Freezing Company's manures, more especially the superphosphate. It should be made a crime to supply such stuff. An Act was wanted similar to tlxi Weights and Measures Act.
The Chairman seconded tho resihition pri forma. Mr Williams said the bonedust and root manures of the Freezing Company were undoubtedly good ; but the othsr stuff w-as what the farmers were kicking against. The Company had made a groat blunder in not acknowledging their eiror in compounding their manures. The motion was then carried. It was also resolved "That the substance of the resolution re manures be wired to Mr J. B. Whyte and Major Jackson, and that they be asked what prospect there is of the prayer of the petition being granted this session."
Mr Forrest next moved "That it i.s desirable that at some place in the Waikato there should be a rooir where farmers, millers, and merchants can soo a sample ot every grower's corn or other produce, judged by the best expert obtainable; such room to bo suitably fitted up, and to bo called a Corn Kxchange." Seconded by Mr R. Reynolds and subsequently carried. Mr Forrest thought such an institution would be a great boon to tanners, for it would enable them to see llie difference in the various samples ot grain that were in the district. Mr Caley thought the expert would be a difficult man to choose, or, at least, in pursuading people he was an expert. If they could get a man to classify the wheat he should strongly ad>ise his services being retained. He thought the Waikato farmers should grind their wheat into flour, as flour was more easily disposed of than wheat. It was, perhaps, too late to talk of it this year, but he trusted that next y3ar the whole of the wheat crop would be ground in the Waikato and sent away as flour. Mr Forrest said lie should be pleased to take charge of the Exchange on Saturday afternoons, whoo he would attend and look after it. He did not desire to put the Club to any expense, and would himself procure a number of small sample bags. On the motion of Mr R. Reynolds, seconded by Mr Anderson, it was resolved " That steps be taken to secure and fit up a room in accordance with the foregoing resolution, such room to be ready for samples on the 22nd inst., and that Mr James Forrest's offer to take charge of the said room upon every Saturday afternoon, while open, be aocepted with thanks." The room will be open on Saturday, the 27th inst. Mr T, W. Hicks not being present, the notice of motion re small birds, standing in his name, lapsed. Mr -lames Forrest gave natice that he would, at the meeting of the Club, move "That it is desirable that ail aitificial manures be carried by rail at the nominal cost of handling." If that was done mote manure would be used, and there would be much more produce to be sent by rail.
Mr John Fisher gave notice to move "That a liomiilittue be appointed to draw up resolutions, to bo submitted to tlte Railway Commissioners on their iirst visit to this district." Rule 10 was suspended to allow Mr Forrest to move "That the members for ■\\ r aik,'ito and Waipa be requested, by telegram, to urge the government to coinpletp the railway line from the Thames lo Te Arolin.'' Seconded by Mr Caley and Gf.m'ad. Mr \V. B. Cornman, the New Zealand agent for Hurst and Sou, of London, wrote offering clover and other seeds for sale. It was resolved "That the Secretary be jnciructepj to reply to Mr Common's letter, iniaihiir.g him thai- this pinb does not undertake the purchase or S6ed ; but that, iu the interest of the members, the Club
would be glad to receive samples, and would like them to hand by the 27th instant." It was agreed to accept the offer of the Piako County Council to allow the use of their room once a month, at 2s Cd per meeting. This was all the business.
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Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2652, 11 July 1889, Page 2
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1,618WAIKATO FARMERS CLUB. Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2652, 11 July 1889, Page 2
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