FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume XLV, Issue 7173, 8 October 1888, Page 6

FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.

A largely attended meeting of farmers was held at the Arcade Chambers, Ashburton, on Saturday afternoon, to consider the question of forming a Farmers' Cooperative and Agency Association. 'Mr Geo. Leadley was voted to the chair. The Chairman said that the time had arrived when the Ashburton farmers should, do their own business under some system of co-operation. Preliminary steps towards forming the Association had already been taken, and he called on Mr Moss to read the minutes of the .meeting recently held, which was attended by a number of influential farmers in the district. MrW. B. Moss then read the minutes, and went on warmly to advocate the formation of an Association in Ashburton, In urging the benefit such an Association would "be to the farmers of the district, be referred to the flourishing condition of the Christchurch Association, and quoted from the last report and balance sheet to •how what a financial success it had been. The Chairman expressed himself in favor of forming an association at Ashburton, and affiliating with the Christchurch Association, fie was very much afraid that if they attempted to form an independent Association at Ashburton it would not last long, but if they affiliated with Cturistchnrch, their position would at once be too - strong for merchants or other Interested parties to attempt to stamp them out. After some discussion Mr James Heron moved "That a Farmers' Association on cooperative principles be formed at Ashburtan." This was seconded by Mr P. Mclntire, and carried unanimously. 'A long discussion then ensued on the question ofmakingthe Association an Independent one. Mr W. EL Rule objected trying to affiliate with Christchurch, as if they did so the Ashburton branch would be simply a sort of pawnshop for the Christchurch Society. Mr E. T. Crisp strongly urged the formation of the Farmers' Co-operative Association at Ashburton, but objected to trying to make it simply a branch of the Christchurch or any other association. Messrs Hill, Parker and others favored the idea of making it a branch of the Christchurch Association, and, after considerable discussion, the Chairman and Messrs W. H. Rule, W. Strachan and Copeland were appointed a deputation to wait on the Directors of the Christchurch Farmers' Co-operative Association, with a view of ascertaining whether they would entertain the idea or opening a branch at Ashburton, the deputation to report at a future meeting. A considerable sum of money was subscribed in the room to defray the preliminary expenses.