The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, MAY 16, 1891. Self-help

Feilding Star, Volume XII, Issue 139, 16 May 1891, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, MAY 16, 1891. Self-help

It is interesting to note how, in the present brightness of the prosperity of farmers, everybody wants to add a little tribute of light to the sunshine which now gladdens their lives. Not so many years ago farmers were looked upon as a class to whom the smiles of fortune were strangers. Any pieces of ill luck, or misfortunes, which, befel them were charitably looked upon as a necessary part of the natural life and experience of persons who either tilled the soil, or devoted their capital, time, aud energies to the breeding of sheep and cattle. People who were not thus engaged were apt to look upon themselves (in fact a good many of them do at this present time of writing) us very superior persons indeed as compared with the persons who are designated as farmers. But a change has lately come over this dream of solfcomplaceucy, and the outside superior person has discovered that the farmer is uot so despicable after all, and that, makiug due allowances for the drawbacks attending his mode of life and beiug, he is worth cultivating. The reason for this change of front is not far to seek, aud is found in the altered circumstances of the farmers, who by the establishment of freezing com pauies and wool factories has been provided with ready markets for his produce, and therebj' beeu encouraged to work harder because of the certainty which now obtains that he will be rewarded for his labors, It is the hope of reward that sweetens labor, and the certainty of the reward adds a double joy. On the other hand tho position of tbe " superior persons" has, if anything, changed tor the worse, and recognising their altered circumstances, they hope to cultivate the cultivator, because money is to be made out of him, and like baser parasites, want to find a living on him. These said parasites, one and all, pose as" the farmer's friends. 3 ' Ouetribe wants him to form " unions," another would like him to •' cooperate," while a third congregation, at the same time warning him of the evzl designs of the other two, wauts him to " associate" for some good purpose or another; but on one common ground they all meet, and that is — the farmer is to find the money. There is no mistake on that point. The friendship of the friends of the farmers begins and ends — at the latter's pocket. If any of our farming friends have a doubt on the question, and believe all the plans now being brought forth for his nominal benefit are germinated from tbe seeds of benevolence, let him just recall to his mind how few of them were started when they would have, possibly, been of some use to him in his hour of need. If he can call one instance to mind it is mure than we can. But, where the farmers and settlers combine together of their own motion, and show a determination to think and act for themselves, without the assistance of outsiders, it seems to us that they are doing a wise thing. It has been said that their lack of mercantile experience, and consequent want of familiarity with mercantile men, may militate against their chances of succes in any matters where so called " business acumen " is needed. That remark would, doubtless, apply in England, or other older European countries, whern farmers know farming and nothing else ; but in New Zealand, where the cultivators of the land have in a large number of cases, had the education of experience in many other pursuits and occupations, ibis would not apply. For instance, in the speeches reported elsewhere, made by the gentlemen who met in Feilding on Thursday last-, we find not only practical common sense, but evidences of lar^e commercial knowledge, which could only be ex hibited by men who have seen much, aud reflected on what they have seen. Hi.herto we have held and expressed the opinion that' the capital which a farmer lias available can be much more profitably spent in fencing and stocking his laud than by investing in companies. In the first case his profits are certain, vehilfi in the latter they are more than doubtful. But, now that so many of their farms, especially in this district, are in good going order, and their profits are such as to justify them, we think they will ' c acting wisely in assisting to build up the Farmers' Association now being planned. We have only one recommendation to make which is : — Have only farmers on the Directory, and shun the " outsider " as you would a plague infected man, bocause, if there be such admitted to " moil aud meddle " he will be like the fly in the spikenan', aud will spoil the ointment

To -day Mr Matthew Belfit alvertises that he has commenced business as a saddler in the shop near to Mr Carthew's. Ab Mr Belfit intends to do only good work at moderate charges wo have every confidence that he will be able to form a good connection.