THE WAIRARAPA FARMERS' CO. OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION, LTD.

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 45, 21 February 1917, Page 16

THE WAIRARAPA FARMERS' CO. OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION, LTD.

A Progressive Institution.

Masterton, the headquarters of the above progressive institution, is rapidly evolving ■ from the status of a country town into a centre of great commercial and industrial activity, that bids fair to surpass the most sanguine expectations of those whose interests are staked within its borders. Some of its business establishments are already as palatial as any to be found in New Zealand, and one of the most important of these is that conducted under the title of the Wairarapa Farmers' Co-operative Association, Ltd., which is specially noteworthy., not only on account., of the vitality and progressiveness of its trade, but by'reason of its adaptability; to those whose means must be carefully utilised for "the -. reception of the greatest, possible benefit at a minimum of expenditure,. While the association do an ex-' tensive, business in Masterton^ there are brandies throughout the Wairarapa and in Wellington city, and the', enormous extent of the association's trade in the different centres exemplifies the popularity of the co'-operativo. principles- of trading. The co-operative moyement, since its first practical inception in Eng. land in 1884, has now become one of the established institutions of almost every civilised country, and its importance has been recognised alike by statesmen and economists. It was in January of 1892 that the, W.F.C.A., Ltd., was incorporated ; the paid-up capital at that period was £31,769, and the shareholders totalled 850. Exactly how this concern has prospered since its inception may best be told by a glance at the balancesheet issued to 31st July of last year. The paid-up capital had grown to £93,053, and the shareholders tp 1450. The reserve fund, stood at £30,973, The number of shareholders given above does not, of course, include those of the United Farmers' Co-operative Association, Ltd., which business was incorporated with the W.F.C.A., Ltd., in August of last year. The benefits of the co-operative system have been so well recognised and taken advantage of by the ■ Wairarapa public that the association has. been enabled to roturn dividends to the shareholders that have averaged over eight per cent, ever since its incorporation and a bonus of three per cent on purchases prior to the war and two and a-half per cent, since. The system has been a real and effectual training for the intelligence, business capacity, and moral character of the people. It has taught them thrift, foresight, self-control, and the habit of harmonious combination for common ends, and it has opened an unlimited field for peaceful, hopeful, ■ and;.' 1, successful effort in the future. The association is undoubtedly a benefit to the district in many ways. It employs a good deal of labour; upwards, of two hundred hands find work in the various branches, and a good many of these are married men with families ■ depending on them, so that the wages roll is no mean one, and naturally is reflected to some extent in the general progress and prosperity of the district. . "-

The Wairarapa, as most people know, has done great things in regard to contributing both men and money to assist in bringing the war to a successful conclusion, and the roll of honour in the association's offices' contains the , names of 42 members of its staff who enlisted under the voluntary system. Some have returned after a trying ordeal on the battlefields of Europe, and have been reinstated or.found suitable employment by the association; some %of them have gone never to return;<bu£';be that;as it may, the number stands out in bold relief, and reflects the greatest credit on the men themselves and their employers, The directors are as follow :—Messrs. Caselberg (chairman), V. E. Donald, H. G. Williams, D. Caselberg, M. Elgar, A.-Caselberg,. A. W. Cave, J. Caselberg, E 1 1 C. Tumor, and 0. C Copper; secretary, W. S. Jago. ' ' The association's stocks, including furniture and general furnishing, is of so great proportions that it is difficult for us to single out any subdivision as being more worthy than another of attention. The latest examples of-furniture are exhibited in suites adapted to the appointment, of the drawing room, dining room, and bedroom, all made by expert cabinetmakers at the association's own factory from the. best class of specially' seasoned timber, huge stocks of which are held iv their yards and factory, which is, without doubt, the most raplete with modern machinery and plant the writer has had the pleasure of inspecting. Crockery, groceries, glassware, general ironmongery, drapery, clothing, boots, electroplate, etc., is also displayed under the most effective comparisons.. LIVE STOCK AND AUCTIONEERING DEPARTMENT. , The association during 1916.decided to add auctioneering to their business, and acquired that formerly conducted by Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., so far as it applies to the eastern side of the Manawatu Gorge. Mr. \O. C. Cooper, so long associated with the latter firm, became a managing director_ of the association,-and this'branch is being continued under his able guidance. Mr. Cooper has been connected with the auctioneering business for the past twenty years, and is admittedly in the front rank of his profession. Associated with him as "auctioneer is Mr. T. A. Caverhill, and the following are the association's agents at the various centres : Carterton, J. C. Harp; Martinborough, H. T. Mexted; Eketahuna, W.J. Orr; Pahiatua (manager and auctioneer), J. A. Betts; Pongaroa, F. E. Freeman; Woodville, W. H. Read- The association have saleyai'ds at Masterton, Carterton, Martinborough, Eketahuna, Alfredton, Pahiatua, Wo°dville, and Pongaroa, and are prepared to hold clearing sales when and where required. MOTOR GARAGE. A further 'extension of the association's business took place when the motor garage and business of P. W. Reardon, Ltd., was acquired, and this lias been considerably extended to meet the district's requirements. The garage is an extensive one, under the management of Mr. Gordon Stewart. The plant is' the latest to cope- with any kind of repairs, while the motor agencies held by the association comprise, without doubt, some of the best procurable in Now Zealand, including the Hup, Jackson, Austin, and several' others.