WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2831, 4 September 1890, Page 3

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Hamilton Branch-

Thb usual monthly meeting of the Waikato .Farmer's Club was held in The Waikato Timks Building*,' at 3 p.m., on Saturday. There were present: Messrs Primrose, Barngh (2), Shepherd, Buttle, Barton, von Stutttfei./Rothwell, Gwynne, Parr, and Seddon. Salt.—Messrs C. 1 ,, . James nnd Co. having noted in a letter to the Government, that It was stated that salt was much needed for the Waikato land, quoted i' 3 2s lid per ton for coarse salt, in lots ot not loss than 15 ton>s free on the Qjeen-street wharf. They also quoted a line of bonedust at £0 7e (id per ton, a copy of an analysis by Mr J. A. Pond being forwarded. The general opinion of the farmers present was that if the boneduet was up tn the analysis that it whs exceedingly cheap. The letter was received, and the Secretary was requested to write, asking if they were prepared 3till to supply the bnnedust at the rate quoted^ Agricultural Show.—A letter was received from the Mangere Farmers' Club, stating that it was their intention to hold an Agricultural and Industrial Show, at Epaom, on November 15th., and asking the Club to assist in any way in their power.— Mr Shepherd said that he, with a (?<>od many others, looked f«ward to the tune when Waikato would again be able to hold shows of her own, as from the former successes he felt that they could be held again. Other smaller districts had shows, and with the goods stock now in Waikato.he thought they would have shows here again.—Mr Barngh said that the districts north of Auckland,-which were much poorer in an agricultural respect than Waikato, were iflble to hold shows, and he hoped that Waikato would not be long in the background.—The Secretary was requested to write, sympathising with the movement. Lime.—A letter from the lion, John Bryce, enclosing tho memo from Mr McKerrnw, with reference to obtaining lime from the King Country (as published in our issue of the Uo'th ult), wns read. Mr Bryce added " Am to the last part of the momo in which the right to quarry limestone on Native land is suggested, I fear from enquiries 1 have made, that there is little immediate prospect of such a right being acquired.' A general conversation followed on the mes of lime, opinions ast to its suitability for Waikato soils being very diverse. All agreed, however, that lime could not • bu used a miinnre, but more M ; a'' medicine to the soil. Mr Barugh said with respect to burning the stone Infound that it generally took one ton of coal to burn seven tons of limestone. The. Secretary said that ho understood that Mr Coates had offered to burn lime for 10s per ton which in addition to the fruielit to Frankton would bring the cist to Hi !)d per ton. Mr Buttle movod that the thanks of the Club be accorded tn the Hon. J. Btyce fi-.rthe trouble he had taken in the matter, and that he be asked to urge the securing of land from the natives, beconded by Mr Shepherd and carried. Unionism.—Circulars were received from the Oauiaru. Hastings, Papatoitoi and Waverley Farmers' Clubs with reference to the formation of Farmers Unions the principal objects oeing to watch over the interests of the fanners, especially in connection with the present labour movement. The Chairman said he thought it was not ,wise to do anything in this matter in the W»ntime, as them was no antagenistic feeling with labour in this district. He said it would be a good thing if all the farmers would unite, but he did uot think they would. Labour had been led on and had made mistakes as they had asked too much, but things would in time settle down on an even basis. Mr Shepherd thought that quite outside the labour question there was much need of the farmers uniting as in these present disunited condition they lost many benefits. The farmers would be forced to take sides in the greatquestion now being founht out, and if they were united they would be able to discuss it »s one body. Mr Buttle also agreed with the necessity of forming unions. There were many things which the farmers of one district could not carry, but if the whole of the farmers of the colony were united, they would carry almost anything. Ho referred particularly to the selling of meat by weight, which bad been upset by one butcher in Auckland. lie was strongly in favour of having unions outside the question of labour altogether. Mr Parr said the labour question must affect the farmers. If labour loses in the present struggle they will «et evon less remuneration than before, and low wages meant low prices for the farmers, as price was regulated by the wages of the working men. Farmers ought to bind themselves together and take one side or the other, with the capital sts or labourers. lor his part he would join with the labourers, as he thought that their interests were closely conjoined. Mr Barugh said there was nothing like high wages for the prosperity of farming, and he hoped to see high wages as long as he lived. The circulars were received, and the discussion deferred to next meeting. Mr Parr then moved as follows : "That the Waikato Farmers' Club form » union for the purpose of getting fair and remunerative prices fur ail classes of produce, and that thej federate with other organisations having the same object in view." He said Farmers have been working for some time back at a loss, because the value of land in this district has fallen in value some 30 or 40 per cent, within the last few years. The only way to prevent produce h 'oing below remunerative prices is for the farmers to form a strong and powerful union all over the colouy. After this is done each branch should elect a delegate to meet, at some central place to fix a scale of prices that will give some just und fair return for the labour and capital expended in its production. It would be vury unwise at this juncture for tho fanners to ally themselves with any combination that wishes u> lower the wages the workman gets for his labour, but let na do all we can to raise the position o! the toilers, no matter what occupation it may be their lot to follow, and then and then only will the position of the tillers of the soil be ameliorated and then they will enjoy those comforts and leisure that they, ns much as any citizens of tho colony, are fully entitled to receive.—Mr Barugh seconded the motion, which was carried by five to three. RetUUNS.— Tho clerk was instructed to obtain 100 forms similar to those issued hy the Cambridge Brwch for diattibutiun

ntnong members, and which if properly tilled up would bo of great value as showing the separate results of the year's operations of each individual fanner. Hopu Of Mektino.—Mr Shepherd, in accordance with notice given, moved that in future the hour of meeting be 2 p.m.— Seconded by Mr Seddon and carried. Mr Bayly's Paper.—An interesting discussion on Mr Bayly's paper was held, the two chief points touched on being the sending away of the young sheep and slaughtering in Waikato. Resolutions.—lt was resolved that any important resolutions coming before this branch should be referred to the parent club. Thia concluded the business.