WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3004, 15 October 1891, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Tnu Cambridge members of the above Club met on Monday evening in the Club-room in Duke-street, when there were present : Messrs Jno. Fishnr (chairman), R. Reynolds, Thorntf.n Walker, W. (I. I'ark, G. A'len, .T. Forrest, .1. Anderson, H. R. Hyatt, W. Scott, S. Seddon, .T. Cane, T. A. Hicks, .T. Fisher, junr., H. Ferguson, C. Hunter, E Hewitt, Henry Reynolds, F. Hicks, T. Wells and Archdeacon Willis. The Rev. l'hilip Walsh, of Waiinato North, tho president of the Bay of Islands Pastoral and Industrial Association, was also present an'l received a cordial welcome from tho chairman, who stated it was seldom a clergyman took such practical interest in agricultural matters as was shown by their guest, who was the chief mainstay of the Northern Association.—Mr Walsh thanked tho Club for permitting him to be present. If he could give any information of interest regarding agriculture in tho North ho should bo happy to do so. Ho laid uuon the table a schedule and list of orizes of the Bay of Islands Spring Show to be held at Waimate on' November 18th.

Nkw MKMnKRS.—The following gentlemen were elected members of the Club: Messrs ,r. T. Hicks, ,T. Burn-Murdock and Wm. Sturgess. The first mentioned was present.

Thb Uppkr House.—A petition to the Governor requesting him not to sanction a fresh batch of members being made to the Legislative Council, lay upon the table and was numerously signed by the members of the Olub.

The National Association of New Zealand.—Circulars enntainitu the conttition and platform of this asssociatioii were read, as was also a circular of similar purport received from Mr R, B. Willis, the president of the Ellesmere Agricultural and Pastoral Association.—The Chairman said evorybody had a right to form associations for self protection, and he thought the subject was one they might fairly discuss but auy motion made could not be binding 011 the members. If they wished to take action it must be done individually. The Club was not composed solely of farmers and its members represented all shades and sidesof politics.— Mr Forrest was glad to hear the Chairman's remarks. Ho believed somo of the subjects in the National Association's circular they might fairly discuss : for instance, freehold or leasehold tenure, and other subjects affecting agricultural interests ; but o'uher parts of it should be left alone. He then moved: "That we are of opinion that the general questions as set forth in the circular received fr;>m the National Association should not be admitted, as it may identify clubs of this kind as partisans, belonging 11 a distinct party in politics."—Mr Hyatt seconded the motion. If the Club were to discuss circulars of this kind, they weie certainly eoing in for politics, and the name should be altered to either Conservative or Liberal Club.—The Chairman said there being no other party or association in Waikato. he thought the Farmers' Club should discuss it. As he had already remarked, the Club could not take action in the matter; that must be left to individual members. —Mr Forrest said he believed in the Land and Income Tax, while others, to attain the same results, would adopt different methods. —Mr Hyatt said he could support many points of the National Association, but others he could not agree with.—Mr (iana said Mr Forrest's motion, if carried, would make it appear they were all against the Association. It was proverbial that fanners were always at sixes anl sevens with ono another, and he thought it high time for them to have some bond that would make them pull together. —After considerable discussion, during which an amendment was moved and withdrawn, the following amendment was proposed and carried : "That this meeting take into consideration the circular of the National Association." It was then resolved to take the clauses of the''platform " of tho Association seriatim, and discuss thetn. — The Chairman then read Clause 1: To promote a national sentiment as opposed to sectional and class interests.—The Chairman : Those agreeing with this will say "Aye." Result: A unanimous aye!— Clause 2: To promote agricultural, mining, commercial and manufacturing enterprise by removing all unnecessary obstacles to their development.—Again ail said "Aye."—Clause 3: To promote the duo registration of parliamentary electors, true representation in Parliament, and the election of the best men available. Once more all responded with " Aye."—Clause 4 : To promote reforms, economic, legislative, and constitutional. Yet once again all said "Aye."— Clause 5: To promote sound political economy, and to oppose all class legislation and all undue interference with individual rights and liberty. Again a unanimous ave was tho response.—The Chairman: Then, gentlemen, yon have adopted the whole platform of the National Association of New Zealand—(cheers)—and it only remains for you to send your names, accompanied by live shillings, to Mr Hull, the *ecretary.—Mr Forrest: That is where the noes will come in.—The secretary was instructed to write the association, stating their platform had been discussed aud approved.—Mr Hyatt: At some future date I may bring to your uotico the platforms of the Anti-Poverty Society, or Radical Association. I hope you will endorse them as readily, for they will be found very similar.—Several members : We will if they are as good.—Mr Wells : The platform of that association is so good that even several land nationalises have joined it. Mr Witliey, I am told, is a member. —Mr Hyatt: But there is something at the back of it.—;Mr Wells : Yes, and it will soon be pushed to the front. —The subjeel then dropped.

Tkk Tkul Of Isjpm'mbsts.—Tho Chairman explained how tha fiasco regarding the implement trial had arisen, and thereupon considerable discussion ensued. Some members thought the club had boen treated rather cavalierly by Mr (-Ireis;, who postponed tho trial in the morning and then shewed the machine at work in the afternoon. However, after the matter hud been explained, it was resolved to thank Messrs Booth and Macdonald for sending their implements to bo exhibited in connection with the show, and the next business was proceeded with.

House Show.—'The Horse Show committee presented the following report:— Your Committee have much pleasure in presenting their report in connection with the late horse show. Finance: It Is with pleasure ive have to report that after paying all liabilities we (hall have a credit balance of £Gl 12s 101, which is represented in the balance sheet as c.iah in hand £2l> 10s 4d, and subscriptions unpaid, £35 2s Od. This hoalthy statu of our fiuance is due to the very liberal manner in which all who were asked kindly helped, and to those we wish to accord our hearty thanks; and whilst many helped us with subscriptions, we must not forget the substantial manner in which very valuable personal assistance was rendered by many friends in helping to promote the welfare of the show, and to all thoso your eommittee wish to convoy hearty thanks.— Horse parade: Your committee regret that on account of the lengthened time occupied in judging inure attention could not bo given to the Stallion Parade as they recognise the fact that a proper criticism of of sires is of groat iirportanco to breeders, and trust that in any future show, a duo importance of the parade of ontire3 will be kept in mind. Accounts: The secretary will submit a return of the reI oeipts and expenditure in connec- | tion with the show together with a ttatement of the present assets and liabilities.—The balance shoot was then read. — I The Secretary said that since tho balance aheot was made out (on Saturday morning), £15 of the unpaid subscriptions had come to hand.—Tho chairman stated although the Club had not any responsibility in the matter of the horse show, still it was held under its auspices and he supposed they would approve of tho accounts.—The report and balance sheet was approved aud adopted.—Mr Forrest thought tho show secretary was entitled to further remuneration, and recommended the committee to increase such remuneration to 210.—The suggestion was unanimously adopted.—The Chairman spoke of the xealous manner in which Mr Butler had carried out his work ; also of the liberal treatment thoy had experienced from the press. Fr.KKZi.Ni;.- Mr Henry Reynolds said he had promised at the last meeting to bo propared with plans, specifications, etc., of freezing plants at the present one. He had the plans with him, but ho should like the members to express their opinions as to the advisahleness of erecting freezing wo.-ks m Waikato ; and. if so, wliero ? The local market was too high at present to admit of Waikato peoplo freezing, but when shearing was over the market would be flooded, and then they would want to export. Thore was a seheujo in hand to erect works in Waikato, probably at Hamilton or Frankton, those places being of easy access both by toad and rail, whioh he hoped would be carried nut. A syndicate had been talked about, but it was more than probable it would bo done privately. They all knew

thead vantages of having animals slaughtered without them hiving to go a journey by rail, so lie neeJ not dilate, upon the advantages of having tho works in Waikato ; and if his lirm undertook the matter they could depend upon the charges being very moderate, for there would not bo interest, to pay upon £30,000 or £10,000 as in Auckland.— The Chairman thought the proprietors should fix whero the works would bo erected. He was afraid tho farmers could hardly give, at such short notice, any idea of the number of sheep the.v would ho nrepared to supply.—Mr H. Reynolds said he sailed for England again in a fortnight ; therefore tho present was the last time he could attend a Clot) meeting, at any rate for a year, and that had caused him to bring the subject up.—Mr Forrest said they all knew ho stuck up for Cambridge when it was a question of shows ; hot now it had come to freezing, ho thought Hamilton was the place for the works.—Mr Cane asked what, would bo the probable cost of exporting?—Mr Reynolds said his firm would only charge 2} per cent, over actual cost, and tho freezing charges would be low, as interest on only a small capital would have to bo paid. He knew tho returns from England had been from 25 to 50 per cant, less than the local market price iately; but ho also knew that the consurnor in the Old Country paid a high price, so someone must lie getting a good profit, and ho meant to try and send some of that profit to New Zealand farmers. So far the Auckland company had mado no reduction in their freezing charges to Reynolds and Co., and thoy might perhaps refuse tofreaze for the firm, in which case they (the firm) would have to hurry up with the works in Waikato.—The Chairman said they must all know it would be better to havn their sheep and cattle slaughtered in Waikato, whether it was to be consumed in Auckland or England. He moved : " That the settlers present hear with much satisfaction the proposal of Messrs Reynolds and Co. to erect freezing works near Frankton Junction, and that they will use their individual influence to support it."—Seconded by Mr J. Cane and carried unanimously.

Presents to Friends in' England. — Mr Reynolds reminded thocn present fcfiut th<3 next 'Frisco mail would be tlio last mis by which letters would reach England before Christinas: consequently those wishing to advise their friends that they would receive .1 Christmas present of New Zsaland produce must write by the next mail that leaves Auckland on November 7th —All that will be required at this end is that Reynolds and Co, in Auckland be advised what to send, who it is to be sent to, and a cash order for whatever is to be sent.

Notices of Motion.—By the Chairman : That at next meeting he should read a naper on " Horse-breeding." —By Mr Forrest: That at next meeting he should move that a general show be held in Cambridge next year, under the auspices of the Club.

Foot-rot.—The Chairman said Major Wilson had expressed his willingness to read a paper on this subject.—The secretary was instructed to write and ask when the Mi jor could favour the Club with it. This concluded the business.