Another Farmers’ Trading Group

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30366, 15 February 1964, Page 6

Another Farmers’ Trading Group

ANOTHER fanners’ cooperative trading society has been formed in Canterbury. Known as the North Canterbury Rural Co-opera-tive Society, Ltd., it began operations at the beginning of the month with 48 members and by early this week its membership was up to After two representatives of a similar society in South Canterbury came to speak to interested people in North Canterbury, rules were approved and seven directors appointed at a meeting at the end of November. The 26 signatories to the rules automatically became the foundation members and on December 6 the ’ society was registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act. The society is operating in the area between the Rakaia and the Conway rivers, but at the. moment the bulk of its membership is drawn from the Rangiora, Cheviot, Hawarden, Oxford and West Eyreton districts. The chairman of the society Mr S. F. Phillips, of Springbank, said the object of the organisation was to lower farmers’ costs.

Already the society has arrangements with seven firms and another five have indicated their interest in

coming into the scheme. The suppliers deal directly with the society which will bill its members for supplies purchased and discounts obtained for them will be subject to prompt payment within two or three weeks of accounts being sent out at the beginning of the month. A levy of 2% per cent will be made on members' purchases to cover administration costs and members are required to take up 20 £1 shares on joining and these will be refundable should a member wish to withdraw from the society. “The society is being run by farmers for farmers,” said the secretary, Mr W. A. Martis, this week. .“It is a strictly co-operative society and non-profit-making.” Similar societies are now reported to be operating at Blenheim, Ashburton, Timaru and Invercargill, and there is also the possibility of one at Dunedin. The new Christchurch society is a member of a national association known as the Central Trading Association. On experience elsewhere it is estimated that members should make a 10 per cent saving in their •expenditure. It is hoped ,to extend operations to cover all farming requisites.