WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 62, 14 March 1900, Page 6

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

CAMBRIDGE, Tuesday.

The monthly meeting of this club was held in the Borough Chambers last evening. The President (Mr E. Allen) occupied the chair, but there was only a small attendance of mem-' bers. .

The Auckland Freezing Company.—' The Executive Committee had drafted a letter to this company re the unsatisfactory price paid for lambs in the Waikato, and calling Mr Bevins' attention to the fact that when he visited the club he stated the weighty he should require would be from 33 lbs to SGlbs, and the farmers had bredt lambs accordingly; but now the company wanted 401b carcases. This communication was forwarded on

February 20th, and on the 22nd Mr Bevins replied as follows: —"I am pleased to learn that by your letter and newspaper reports of your meeting that your club and settlers gene< rally appreciate our efforts. Stock Price: There can be no doubt whatever that prices ruling in Canterbury are slightly better than that able to be given here. I should say the differ-, ence in reality is about Is per head for lambs, and in some cases Is 6d. This is accounted for in value o_ skins and fat, which are worth 4_ to (3d more, and the greater price given in London—fully 3-8 d per lb. The difference in price given is not more. Addington sale reports are not an indication of freezing values. Take our local sales, for instance. What do you find? That one or two pens fetch fully as high prices as at Addington, but the bulk go for less than we offer on farms. The same conditions rule at Addington. A few go at high prices and the balance much lower. Weight: Our average of lambs killed this .season has only been 341b5~-not a very high one. Wo like 401bs weight, but can never get it. If we had mentioned 351bs as a standard results would most likely have panned out about 30 or 31. I_ast season, when before your club I declined to mention any price when epiestioned 'by your members, stating our operations would be entirely guided by the London markets. If we could give more we would gladly do so. I have shown several of your members the results of our operations last year, which left us but a small and very inadequate profit. If any of your members are doubtful and think that enormous gains result from dealings in frozen meat, we are quite willing to freeze for them and forward same to London on their account, and will advance also nearly what we would purchase at. To show you there is nothing to be gained, I may state that a large local company preferred to sell to us thau take London risks, they having as great facilities for disposal in London as we have. However, I don't supposq for an instant my explanations will ■satisfy yourself, your members, or any producers. The only way is to try for yourselves, and we will help you to do it. Experience will teach you, and nothing else, that we are dealing fairly by you. Grow your stock, feed them well, improve your quality, and time will do the rest, Canterbury people have bought their (experience. Over one-third of tin* lambs purchased in Waikato as prime were put in the second class by our grader. These will not realize cost." Mr Allen said he supposed there remained nothing more to be said. Mr Wells pointed put that Mr Bevins' letter was most illogical. He (Mr Bevins) would not refer to anything for the purpose of comparison but Canterbury; while the committee had studiously avoided mentioning anything but North Island lambs The President said Mr Bevins did not tell them what price they paid the "large local company" The speaker intimated he couid give the information, but, did not deem it advisable to do so The letter was -then received

The Loan and Mercantile Company had been written to asking what commission they intended charging for selling stock by auction in tha Auckland province, but a reply had not been received. The secretary was instructed to write again asking for a reply, The Auckland Provincial Association wrote asking what action had been taken in the Waikato re auctioneers' fees, as the General Committee would meet on Friday to discuss the matter. It was resolved to furnish all information the club had in hand; also a- copy of the letter sent to the Loan and Mercantile Company. Several other communications of. minor importance were attended to, and then Mr Th'os. Wells referred to the intended visit of His Excellency the Governor on the 27th April next, when he trusted the whole of the members of the various local bodies* in the district would be present, and also as many settlers as possible. Th 3 President said he was sure the farmers would endeavour to give Her Majesty's representative a hearty welcome.

Mr A. G. C. Glass, the' organising secretary of the Farmers' Union, then addressed the club on the benefits to be derived from joining the institu^ tion. He read the platform of the Union and the provisional rules, explaining each as he progressed. He admitted there was but little connected with the buying and selling of farmers' produce in the platform, bin that would receive attention at tho Conference to be held at Auckland next week. Mr Glass addressed the club at- considerable length, but I am afraid he did not make much impression on those present, for the meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to that g-entleman for the trouble he had* token, but I do not think anyone joined the Union.