WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB (HAMILTON BRANCH,)

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2932, 30 April 1891, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB (HAMILTON BRANCH,)

Thb usual monthly meeting of the above Club was held in Thk Waikato Timks Buildings on Monday evening last, when there wore present—Messrs Primrose (chairman), Henry, Rnnciman (2), Hibbs, Lovers, Graham, Barngh (2), Dyer, R. F. Sandes, Gro. lidgectimbe, and Barteii (secretary).

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

Mr Dyer read a paper on " Co-operation, as applied to Farmers," as follows : —Before dealing with the moro practical portion of the subject of " Co-operation, as applied to farmers," it will be well to obtain a clear idea of the precents underlying co-operative action. If principles of economy aie to bo applied to a given set of facts, it is obvious that this can only be done by having a clear conception of the principles to be so applied. Co-operation means, of course, a working together, and it is usually dealt with under two heads—namely, simple and complex co-operation. There is a great distinction between the two, although tho co-operative action is as true in the one instance as the other. Two men lifting i weight is an instanco of co-operation in its simplest form. Both man are acting at tho same time, in the- same way, and are engaged m the same work, and, further, are conscious that they are working together. Complex co-operation is of a different kind. The man engaged in lab nit or trade in purchasing his tools, clothing, or other necessaries is co-operating with the people who manufactured the tools or tho clothing. The labourer and tha manufacturers aro probably quite unconscious that they are working together, and yet the co-operation in this instance is just an certain as in that of the two men lifting the weight. The labourer gives a portion of his earnings to the manufacturer, who, in his turn, gives tho labourer the tools necessary to effectually carry out his work. In the actual relations of life, no doubt, many others would be brought into co-operation. The manufacturer would sell to the wholesale merchant, the merchant would sell to the retail man, who, in his turn, would sell to the labourer. In short, wo may say that the business of lite generally is a system of complex co-operation. Tha persons engaged are employed at different works, in different places, and in different ways, and, although actually working together, they are, for the most part, unconscious of it. It requires a complex operation of the mind to perceive it, and hence its name. It is clearly with simple co-operation that we have to deal to-night—that of farmers combining to help each other in the same kind of work, and with complex co-operation we shall have very little to do. The subject of complex co-operation, though a very interesting one, we shall not on this occasion have time to further consider. Now, it i.s obvious that two men working together can in a great number of instances accomplish more than four men could if working apart, and so on in increasing numbers. It is unnecessary to givo instances of this, as on farms fchoy must bfl of every day occurrence. This principle I claim holds good throughout —namely, that men working in combination can accomplish far more than individual men working separately. Our hypothesis, therefore, is that tho farmers of Waikato working together and taking united action can achieve far greater results than they can hope to attain by working independently of each other. To work this out to its logical conclusion, by endeavouring to find out how and in what manner they can so work together, is, I take it, the object for which we have assembled to-night. It will be hardly necessary before considering this problem for me to give instances in detail of advantages that havo accrued in other industries by co-operative action. The various trades unions that have been formed of recent years are but assertions of the same principle. The tradesmen of different crafts are nniting together in increasing numbers. Every tradn of any consequence or magnitude has its association or union, with the exception, strange to say, of the most important industry of all —namely, that of agriculture. Labour has also of late years'by means of united effort asserted itself in a manner which has almost revolutionised our trado and commercial circles, and obtained for itself a recognition which labour disunited could n6ver have obtained. Businesses which have been conducted on strictly co-operative principles have almost invariably succeeded ; and, if I may so far digress from the issue, I beliove we shall seo before long a mighty instance of co-opera-tion and the affirmation of its principles in the federation and welding together of the Australian colonies. These are facts which are furnished to everyone who takes any interest in passing events, and, as I havo said. I do not think it is necessary to adduce particulars in detail in support of them. I shall, therefore, assume that it has beeu provoJ by past experience—indeed, it is almost a matter of history—that co-operation has been the means of bestowing advantages of a must substantial kind on those who have combined and strictly followed its precepts. It is surely high time that farmers—tho first producers of wealth, the mainstay of the country—should unite for their mutual protectien and advancement. The only way to arouse men is to appeal directly to their selfishness, and I believe in advocating a farmors' union I am touching on the keynote of the position which will secure them in course of time a better state of things. It is impossible to do more in a short paper than briefly sketch the basis on which I think such a union should be formed and tho objects which it should seok to attain. (To he oiidiinud,)