THE FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 8245, 8 August 1892, Page 6

THE FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE.

to rale? _prrdn oy. th_ *ress. Sir, —-The thanks of every man, woman and child interested in the welfare of Christchurch are due to "A Christchurch Tradesman " for his • forcible, yet temperate, denunciation of this unmitigated evil. The experience of Timaru is being repeated in Christchurch. The town is simply being ruined by those who should take a pleasure and a pride in its prosperity. Instead of the farmers being gainers by turning " Jacks of all trades'' they will end by being terrible losers. I assert without fear of contradiction that better goods at an equally low price can be obtained from private traders than at the Farmers' Co-operative store by those who are prepared to pay cash. Men who have served life-long apprenticeships to their particular trades can surely buy with better judgment and on better terms than any paid manager who unwarrantably assumed to be master of all trades under the sun. Hence private traders can afford to sell a better article at a cheaper rate and still 'earn a fair profit. No one doubts Mr Turnbull's enterprise and ingenuity. The man who can see his way to export live cattle and sheep to England, and sell them at a profit, is doubtless capable of greater things, but I doubt if he understands the value of cloths and silks as well as Mr Strange or Mr Ballantyne, and .it is possible that his knowledge of the hardware | trade is hardly equal to that of the heads of the leading firm here. I I am a young man with a mercantile training, anxious for promotion in an honourable business to enable mc to support an increasing family, but as I am not tbe son or the nephew of a director of the Farmers' Co-operative Association, my. outlook is gloomy enough. No one questions the right of the farmers to turn tradesmen if they like, but it does irritate and grieve any fairminded man to see well-to-do lawyers and doctors, as well as farmers, deserting their old tradesmen to support an institution whose constant aim is to monopolise the commerce of Canterbury, an aim involving the impoverishing and ultimate ruin of numbers of honourable and enterprising traders who have embarked , large capital in their concerns, and who ! have devoted their whole lives and energies to catering faithfully and well for the mercantile the community.—Yours, &c, -.£"£■•'"•-' .%..■-.-•■ • } \ Shop Assistant. to the editor op the , press. Siß,--Permifc mc to protest' against the selfish and narrow .minded'views of a ''Christchurch " Our Society is a grand success, and I fervently trust to see its operations extended on a scale that will make your correspondent and other town harpies who have long sucked our life blood squirm aud writhe in impotent malice. We have demonstrated that we can do all our business without any help from outsiders. We are merchants and traders in hardware, soft goods, grocery, patent medicines, perfumery, earthenware, stationery, saddlery, paints, cutlery, seeds, manure, in fact in every article of commerce. We are our own tailors, dressmakers, bootmakers, and saddlers. Why should we stop here ! Does any one dare to suggest that it is possible tbat the Directors would fail in other departments in which we are still too often the victims of greed and extortion. Instead of paying the exorbitant fees charged by lawyers and doctors, why should we not have a salaried solicitor and a salaried doctor on our own premises to do the medical and legal work of members. There are plenty of able young practitioners .belonging to both professions who would be only too glad to accept such a position at a salary sayof _J2OQa year, offices and clerical assistance being of course provided by the Association. A short time back I was charged no leaa than _*_ 3s, besides a much larger sum said to have been expended for stamp duty and registration, for a simple conveyance of a small paddock, purchased for £750. It is well known that doctors fees are just as extortionate as this. If I have my way this sort of imposition will soon be put an end to. "■—Yours, &c, . A Farmer. TO THE EDITOR OP THE PRESS. S-ftr-A " Ghristchurch Tradesman " has struck the nail fair on the head. I trust the correspondence so ably opened will not be suffered to drop till the subject is well ventilated. The formers seem bent on fighting the townsmen in politics as well as in trade. Let us take up the gauntlet m

both issues. Let the capitalists, the artieans, and the professional classes forget minor differences, and band together to protect the trade of Christchurch from impending ruin. However specious the reasonings of the Directors of the Farmers Association, the institution is nothing more or less than an organised boycott of the merchants and tradesmen of Chriatchurch. Let us remember this next election.— Yours, &c.j Artisan.