WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 110, 9 May 1895, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Cambridge, Wednesday.'

The above Club met here on Monday ovening, whentbere were present : Messrs J. Gane (President), J. Fisher, j. Anderson, IJ, Scotb, R. Fisher, W. Tucker, D.Caloy,. J.vFisJbeiy junr.,,E.LAllen,, : G... M\ Clark, A. Cubic, T. Harbly, 3T r - Forrest, J; W. Souter; T. V Wells ana A. Gane. Arrangements were made for\ holding the annual:root show in connection with' the Club in the Public Hall about the second week in Juno. Tt promises to be an even greater success than the one held last year, and thab was a very good one. ' ; A Special Committee appointed' tor the purpose ab last meeting had forwavded the following petition to" the Government), per the Minister of Agriculture :—" On behalf of the .Waikato Farmers' Club we have the honour to ask your earnest consideration of the following particulars relating to the dairy industry, and to request your influence and assistance to this industry by a reduction of the railway freight on dairy produce to ab leasb one half the present rates. You are doubtless aware of the great fall, in the price 6i butter in tha London markets, and thab in consequence a very critical period in the history of bhis industry has been reached ; and as the Governmenb bus in the past recognieed the importance of this induetry to the colony, and in many ways granted ready assistance to promote it, thia Club haß confidonce in approaching you to ask still further assistance in substantial reductions on the railway freight on dairy produce.1 As ib is,believed the fall in the price is only temporary, a prompt reduction in the, freight) to the lowest possible paying price will materially assist the industry at the present juncture. The suppliers throughout the Waikato disbriefc have met the factory owners with a rebate of one farthing■ per;gallon on the whole season's milk, and as the success of the industry mainly depends on the small settlers, this concession will largely assist the Government policy of close setfclemehb. Believing that the granting of this conceaaiou will be in the best interests- of the colony, this Club respectfully urges your compliance with the request." ... . .'..-, \ ■.'-.>

. Considerable discussion ensued when the report of the Committee who waited upon the Tariff Commissioners was presented. Most members agreed with what had been done,1 bub Mr Forresb thought) too much had been done. He said Isba Auckland Agricultural Association had m^o out a splendid case, and he thought the Waikato people had spoiled what the Aucklanders bad done by asking for more things to be pub upon the free liet. It seemed as if the Waikato farmers «aid to the Auckland faundrymen : "We will; compel you, to eat, our beef, bub we won't buy your ploughshares." Mr J. 'Fisher contended the farmers only wanted the manufacturers to be put upon the same footing as themselves.* 'The colonial manufacturers had as many facilities for making ploughshares as the English, bub the NewZealand farroer could not raise and fatten stock at l£d; per lb as they could in Australia, consequently he objected to New Zealand being flooded with Australian beef. After a lengthy discussion, Mr E. Allen moved—"Thab the Government ba asked, through the Minister of Agriculture, to atriebiy enforce the quarantine regulations in regard to iive cattle and meat." This was seconded by Mr J. Fisher, and carried. It was resolved to ask the Auckland Agricultural"* Society to co-operate in urging upon the Government the necessity of keeping the country from " being flooded with Australian beef. •

The next meeting will be the annual one,