WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2729, 9 January 1890, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

* The above club met at Cambridgo, on Monday, at 7 p.m. Present: Messrs G. E. Clark (chairman), J. Fisher (vice), Anderson, Buttle, Wells, Roberts, T. W. Hicks, Williams, R. Fishar, Forrest, Alley, Main, Caley, R. Reynolds, Seddon, Hewitt, F. Hicks, Davies, Arnold, Gane, Sharp, J. Hally, and Hartly. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. New Members.—The following gentlemen were elected members of the Club:— Messis R. Fawcett, G-. A. Sare, C. Barwell, H Moon, W. M. Douglas and Archdeacon Willis. Correspondence.— As we are rather pressed for space, we hold over the business arising out of the correspondence until the next issue. Proposal to Inaugurate a Stock Show roR WAIKATO.—In accordance with notice given, Mr Buttle moved, ','That the Club undertake the establHiment of an annual •tock show in the Waikato." Hβ stated that if this resolution was passed, he would then move a further resolution regarding the matter. Ho had every confidence in moving the resolution, and felt sure he would be heartily supported by the whole of tho members present. They were all awaro that Waikato was well able to support a stock show* for it had done so in years gone by, and he had a lively recollection of the manner in which he and the chairman had worked side by side with a number of leading farmers, and had brought the matter to a very successful issue. There was not the slightest reason why equally good shows, or even better, should not be held in the future, and if the members of tho club supported the undertaking, he did not fear hut that the outsiders—farmers not members of the c ] u lj—would lend assistance. He had frequently been asked if shows did any good? Hβ contended they did, for he considered them a great factor in educating their sons and daughters in the agricultural pursuits, which the majority of them were destined to follow. If they were U> have stock, it was better to have goori than bad, and hew were they to know without comparing with their neighbours. A fanner's stock looked well at home, and very frequently a man thought it waa better than his neighbours, but put them alongside in a show yard and the difference was at once apporent. Then again, there was great diversity of opinion as to the most suitable breud of cattle. In England they had various breeds for the different districts; what they wanted in Wailcato was to rind out what pirticular breed waa best suited to their district. The same remarks applied co sheep, and perhaps more ho even than to cattle, for he believed that Waikato would be a sheep-carrying country. Tht returns published lately showed that the number of sheep in the district hud doubled during the past year, and_ it

certainly appeared aa if cattle were going out and sheen coming in. lie himaelf was i<> favour of the Lincoln breed, but others liked the Leicester or Downs, and doubtless they bad equally good reasons for doing so. Nothing would enable them to decide which breed was best suited for Waikato so much as a stock slww, where they could not only compare the animals but also discuss their merits. Without further remarks he left the matter for the consideration of the members.—The motion was seconded by Mr Rd. Reynolds.—ivlr J. Fisher said he would keep his personal views in the back ground, but there were several matters in connection with a show upon which there would be found a diversity of opinion, viz., the time of year at which it should be held, and the place of meeting. Many were in favour of a spring show, while others thought autumn would be preferable.—Mr T. Wells believed no. thing had been such a blow to the district as the collapse of tho Cambridge Farmers' Club and the cattle shows. He did not believe it would work to have a show under the auspices of the Club without it was held in Cambridge. Hβ spoke at length and referred to the difficulty the Horticultural Society had experienced in holding shows in the different townships.—The Chairman could not agree with Mr Wells, and contended that Hamilton was the proper place to hold the 3how as the railway facilities were much better there than at Cambridge. He believed Hamilton could have a Club that would work the show. They were the Waikato Club, and he trusted they would always go upon broad lines. Many people appeared to think that he favoured Hamilton in preference to Cambridge, but it was not so ;

he merely wished the show to be held the most auitahl« place. And he contended that was Hamilton. — Mr Forest : Wherever the .show is held, make the inhabitants responsible for carrying it out. an.4 for the finances.—Mr Williams :It would then bo a Hamilton show. Ho endorsed the remarks of the Chairman.—Mr R. Reynolds thought it an important, matter. He believed it could be held in Cambridge successfully : but he 'vould rather tako his atock 13 or 20 miles to compete against 50 ■ pe»p!e, than 2 or 3 miles to compete against 50 cattle ownod by two or three individuals. They could try it at Hamilton, and if it was not a success they could then bring it back to Cambridge. Wherever it was held, one of the main features would have to be dairy stock and appliances.—Mr Wells said the Chairman was " right wrong." His plan was good in theory, but it would not work. There were not half-a-dozen men in room who would give two or three days work if the show was held in Hamilton. They might send their cattle, but more than that was wanted. If a show was to be held under the auspices of the Club, it should be in Cambridge ; for nearly all the members of the Club belonged to that district. He had been behind the scenes of the Houncultural Show and knew how much it took to get the necessary helpers when it cams to the pinch at tho last.—Mr J. Fisher proposed an amend* ment to the effect ''That until similar Clubs to this are established at Hamilton and Tβ Awamutu, it is, in the opinion of this meeting, premature to inaugurate a stnek show in the Waikato."—Mr J. Gane seconded the amendment, and said there was no indication that Hamilton people were prepared to make provision for the ihow.—Tha Chairman coincided with Mr Fislier. Hβ did not think the Club was strong enough to carry out tho show, unless by subscription amongst the members ; and from the views held by many, he doubted if that would be a judicious or successful policy.—The amendment was then put and carried on the voices. Waikato Wheat.—Mr G. E. Clark then read the fallowing paper on Waikato Wheat: —ln writing on tiiis important subject, my aim will be to provoke discussion, and altfjough nothing new may be found in paper, if it brings forth a full i|ji|ression,6f opinion of the farmers ot the Snfflfijapf 1 !! shall feel amply repaid. I think jSpsgener&lly admitted, that to farm •ftyjeouely it is necessary that cereals of : some kind form a portion of any system we rhay pursue in Waikato, and in all probability wheat will be the chief grain, and whilst turnip growing occupies the prominent position aa at present. Spring wheat will suit the farmer muoh better than Winter svheat. This is the most valuable wheat in every part of the world, save the city of Auckland where during the past year a big effort has been made to plsce our Tuscan wheat on a level with the iowesl grades of Winter wheat. Our position has .been and still remains from want of sufficient competition th.it there is no market value for wheat in the province of Auckland, in fact we are at the mercy of two monetary institutions who arc so nearly akin that it is

much like one buyer only, whose businesr would appear to consist in first Rrindiii! down the farmer and disparaging his wheat and aeondly to grind the wheat- into flour Our chief object should be to relieve then of the first portion of their occupation. W< have ample proof now that both Gambridgi and To Awamutu full roller mills usin| Waikato Tuscan wheat, only, can produce and are producing at the present time i flour fully equal to the best brands of Auck land ground flour, this ia the testimony of i baker of thirty years' standing, who has beei using the Tβ Awamutu flour for months and is mow using Cambridge flour in prefer ence to Auckland or Southern flour. Stil the present owners of the milling indiistr; in Auckland Bay persistently that they cai use only one sixth or seventh ot Waikati Tuscan wheat. There is a wheel within i wheel here somewhere that we have no the power to fathom. It apparently suit them better to buy Southern wheat thai local, and the average citizen appears to think it makes no difference to the pros parity of the city of Auckland whether thi money for bread is sent to the Sou then provinces or retained in our midst. Thi; province is undoubtedly a long way thi last in recovering from the depression lha has passed over all the colonies, and thii arises in a large measure from tho antago nism that exist* between the citizens o Auckland and the country, the cry ha ewer been the port of Auckland. When thi members for the city and suburbs went t< Wellington last session, an instruction wai given from the Chamber of Commerce a all cost to demand the pushing on of th< North Trunk railway, although it wa well-known it constructed that it would no pay grease for the wheels, and for wha purpose was it ? that we had not lands t< put the oeople on. No, but to try anc enatch from Wellington the West Coas trade, to make the port of Auckland. Asl this same Chamber of Commerce to do any thing for the advancement of the countrj districts, even aa small a thing as to advo cate paying the farmer for the sacks hi puts his grain and produce in, they ignon them altogether. We have country enougl now, between Mercer and Taupo if fairly occupied, to do more for the port of A.uck land than the North Trunk railway woulc do by far, which weuld make a tradw f»i the port of Auckland that n<> one coulr take away. Let our citizens strive to encourage the settlor* that avi now on the land, and with only a slighi sign of reluming prosperity, our member; would rapidly increase, and our product! also. What has made the port of Lyttle ton but its back country ? We have hac ample proof during the past year that frorr lack of competition we have been fleeced right and left in the disposal of our wheat, and of the absolute necessity of tryint some other means of disposing of our wheal than relying solely on Auckland for i market. The statement made by Mi Walker in this room at our meeting some two months since re the price of shpep skins, etc, in asking a fullmonger why ht did not tender for a lot of skins, replied that it was Ireland's month to tender, hence he stood clear. This is a very fitting illustration of the treatment farmers receive at the hands of city merchants, and this line of business will continue unless the farmers, as a body, stand shoulder t< shoulder, with a full determination to break through existing monopolies. I would take this opportunity of referring to a letter received from the Lo.in and Mercantile Company's Hamilton agent that was read at the club, replying to a complaint about bacre being weighed in and given in with wheat sold to the Northern R'>Hoi Mills : also a charge bsing madu of pei ceot for RellitiK wheat to their own mill, which distinctly stated that bags would be pud for, and no commission would be charged when sales were made to their own mill. I hava been told that these charges are still made. Ic is very gratifying to no;,t that some of our farmers are friitv.iing their wheat and selling' it as flour to the public. This is a step in the right direction, and, if brought to a successful issue, will speedily alter our position. The farmer's object is not to lower the price of flour, but to obtain a fair price for his wheat. With good machinery the grower should be able to compete with the miller. There is another aspect which commends the grind ing of our own wheat. The farmer may, with advantage, feed his own stock will: the hran from his wheat, and the day is not far distant when more careful consideration will be given to agriculture, and the large straw stacks we see standing about the fields will be cut into chuff, which, with the husk from the wheat carefully housed at thrashing time, will be given to our sheer, and cattle, mixed with the bran and sharps from our wheat, thus enabling the farmet to increase the currying capacity of his turnips from thirty to'fifty per cent., improve the health of his stock, and fatten them in one-third less time tbati at present, besides considerably enriching the land by the additional feeding thereon. Sufficient care has not been taken or value placed by farmers generally on the straw from our crops by taking every opportunity of getting any trod by stock into manure, or even carting manure when made on t;> the land. Many a large heap of manure is a nuisance, when, by placing it on a piece of land, it might be a blessing, giving a-double crop if properly applied. I feel assured that the most sanguine man in this community has a very inadequate idea of the true value of lands of this district. With a more liberal treatment and judicious management results will be obtained that will open the eye? of the incredulous ones, many of whom, in the treatment of their lands, remind me of a wealthy neighbour in the Old Country, speaking of biteon, said there is a snying you should give a sprat to catch a herring. Joe was quite willing to tike the herring, but he had hardly heart enough to eive the sprat. I sincerely trust that during this year we may see and hear of Waikato doing a large trade in flour, as in <U1 other efforts nf the farmer to go alone there will be a strong ipunsitinn, hut a steady quint persistency will overcome great difficulties

if ono and all will join hands.--Mr John Fisher occupied the chair while Mr Clark read his paper, and at its conclusion he asked if nnymio had any remarks to pass upon it.—Mr W. L. C. Williams said the quality of spring wheat depended greatly upon the nature of the soil in which it was grown. He knew of land ou the East Coast jutting out into the sai, that grew wheat worth Is to Is (3d a bushel more than that grown on the mainland.— Many of tha members appeared to think Mr Williams had mado n mistake; he, however, contended that he had not, and stated that a miller had told him of the value.—Mr Andercon said his experience of land jutting into the sea was exactly opposite to that quoted by Mr Williams.— Mr Forrest said he had lately had flour made at the Cambridge mill from Waikato wheat, and his family grumbled, not at the Waikato flour, but because they had not had it before ; for they preferred it to the Auckland flour. He thought the whole of the farmers in the Auckland province would have to strike. If they ceased supplying meat, eggs, butter, cheese and other produce to their town friends for about one week, it would bring the merchants to book, and they would offer a fair price instead of giving just what they liked, as at present.—Mr Clark was accorded a hoarty vote of thanks for his paper, and aftar a few accounts had been passed the meeting broke up.