WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2757, 15 March 1890, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

TO THE EDITOR. Sill, —I hope with von that the fanners of the district will make a supreme effort to establish a strong branch of the vVaikato Farmers' Club in Hamilton. The present appears to be a most favourable time for such an object, for unions and combinations of all sorts and conditions are tho order of the day, with I may .say almost every occupation and trade except the farmers, does this not in some measure account for their present lamentable state ? Labourers and artisans of every class are demanding shorter hours ami increased pay, and they are obtaining their demands. Prices of manufactured goods are advancing, whilst that of farmers' produce is decreasing, and this state of things is likely to continue unless the farmers take a lesson from their fellow-workers in other branches of trade and commerce. I should like to know who are in a better position than the farmers for obtaining a fair and just equivalent for the articles they produce. Tlio public must have thorn — they are absolute necessities — and a fair prici can only be obt lined by organisation and union. Why should the farmers sell milk at 2d per gallon when they are loosing money hy so doing, and nearly every other article they produce is sold on simihir conditions ? Is it not possible that some system could be established for fixing a fair price for all kinds of produce; a price that would recompense the producer 1 This could not haym anyone, but must, m the long run, be an advantage to all. It is positively suicidal to the best interest of the colony that its agriculturists are languishing. It is tlio one occupation of all others that cannot be done without, and yet manv farmers would leave their holdings and take wing to fresh fieldsjf they could only realize 011 their properties : — 111 fares the land to hastening: ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates and men decay, Princes and lords may flourish or may f.ide A breath can make as a breath hath made ; Hut a bold peasantry, their country's pride, When once destroyed can never be supplied. Let us take heart, there is hope yet; wo have many good and able men who are using all their valuable powers to solve this terrible problem of the increase of wealth and also at the same time the increase of poverty. To my mind the remedy is known and is now being disseminated broadens! over the world but the people are not yet ripe for it, but surely the timo is drawing nigh. One great writer states that all good and beueticial changes come only through suffering. Surely the great majority of the people are now suffering far more than there is any necessity for.. The world is teeming with wealth and would produce any quantity more if only the conditions were more favourable for the workers. The present suffering is causing the people to think and inquire, consequently the light is beginning to dawn upon their minds from the lofty eminence of such intellect as Henry George and kindred men. Very many are preparing the ground and planting the seeds prepared by the fertile brains of our great reformers. In some the plant grows quickly and soon bears fruit, while in many others it takes a long time to mature. I hopo when Henry Ueorge returns to the colony he will find abundance of friiit all ready for tho gathering. I think it would be a good thing if our farmers could discuss these grpat and important questions, questions that concern them as much as any class in the world. There is too much disintegration amongst the farmers, more solidarity is required if they desire to accomplish beneficial changes, and Ijv forming farmers' clubs or unions all over the land, and formulating a system that shall operate throughout the colony, it cannot fail to be beneficial to all its members. I hope that tho Waikato Farmers' Club will now commence a crusade that will spread all over and embrace every farmer in the colony, and that it may prove a blessing to all.—l am, yours etc., John Park.