WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 166, 14 July 1903, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

THE CO-OPERATIVE SCHEME,

MEETING AT CAMBRIDGE.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

CAMBRIDGE, this day-

The Waikato Farmers' Club met last evening in Cambridge. The president stated that he had written to the Hawera '•Star" re an article adversely criticising the Waikato lands, and enclosing several letters written by Taranaki settlers now residing in the Waikato, who are well satisfied with their bargains. He stated that the land in Waikato was about half the juice of Taranaki land, and the returns were equal or more. The president's action was endorsed.

It was resolved to support Mr Kirkbride's Fire Insurance Bill in preference to the Government State Fire Insurance Bill. It was decided to oppose the Government Stud Bill now before the House. Something of the kind is wanted, but the present bill is inadequate. A number of fruit growers wrote suggesting that Mr William Johns, late of Te Awamutu, be called to the Legislative Council as the farmers' representative, It was resolved to receive the letter, but take no further action.

The president said he thought the whole province should try and get a cooperative freezing works and get a manager from the South. The following were suggested to form a committee to make arrangements: —Messrs Charles Storey, Park, Reynolds, John Fisher, James Taylor, Knight, Barugli, Stone, Gordon, Gillett, Hunt, Serville, Allen, Sturges, and tlie president and chairmen of all branches.

Mr Stone, a settler lately from Canterbury, spoke of how co-operative freezing works are managed, and counselled operations being confined to farmers. He said he was an original shareholder in the Belfast works, and gave an interesting account of how they managed in Canterbury. They must have a central position. Mr .1. Knight said farmers must look after their interests. He believed cooperation was the true solution, but if they could not manage that they should deal with Mr Borthwick. All settlers using the port of Auckland should be enlisted in the cause.

Mr S. Knight advised dealing with Home markets direct. lie did not consider Auckland traders would have pure co-operation. If the Waikato butter factories dealt direct with consumers in Wales they would have, received twopence a pound more, and the same might be said regarding meat.

The president thought all the farmers in the province should join in establishing one great works. He was afraid there was not sufficient stock in Waikato to run such works there. He had written to Auckland firms asking what they would do towards co-operation, but the replies were -not satisfactory, and the only one that could be entertained was that of Mr Borthwick.

The Borough Council appointed a committee to get the Kaimai track put in order, to get information as to the quantity of meat in the Auckland province, and to consider and report on the question of establishing a freezing works in Waikato to a public meeting of those interested. Mr Buckland gave an address on "Paspahim Dilitatum," a grass of great use for grazing, known in America as Louisana grass, a wonderful drought

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