FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 22, 27 January 1898, Page 2

FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.

A meeting of delegates from farming districts in connection with a, proposal to form a Farmers' Co-operative Society was held yesterday in the Metropolitan Hotel. Mr G. Rhodes presided, and Mr Sam, Brown acted as Secretary. The delegates present were : Messrs G. Rhodes, Hunua; A. Morrison, Awhitu ; Sam. Browne, Cleyedon ; Griffin, Whangarei; Fullerton, T.e Kowhai; McNellan, Kaurihohore; Midgly, Jrlobsonville ; G. J. Garland, Waipipi and Kohekohe ; Hunter, Taupaki ; Trotter, Rodney. A circular setting opt the prpposed constitution of the society was discussed, and adopted. The Secretary of the Hukerenui Agricultural Association wrote stating " that the association was in full sympathy with the objects of the proposed society, but, pwing to the scattered nature' of the district, a co-operative society would not be workable in the writer's district at the present time. They therefore could not see their way to semi a delegate to Auckland to attend the present conference, but wished their efforts every success. Mr Griffin said the Whangarei district was in favour of co-operation amongst farmers. He would like to see a sum of about £4,000 subscribed before a start was made. He was of opinion that the limit of the shares should be £10 to one person, with one vote at meetings for officers. Mr Morrison said in the Awhitu district everyone was in favour of co-operation, but he thought £5 should be the limit for any one person to possess in shares. Mr Fullerton said hundreds in the Waikato district would take shares if the people were sure that the thing was .straight, and would be conducted on business principles. Mr McNellan, of Kaurihohore, said that those in his district could not see their way to embrace the subject of cooperation, Mr Brash addressed the meeting on the advantages of co-operation, and a vote of thanks was accorded to him. It was decided to allow the constitution to stand in its present form, and the meeting was adjourned till the last Wednesday in April, it being understood that delegates would undertake-to canvass their districts for a fund for printing, subscriptions to be forwarded to Mr S. Browne, to be expended in printing further information on the subject of co-operation