THE MERCHANTS' PRODUCE ASSOCIATION.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 115, 13 May 1912, Page 7

THE MERCHANTS' PRODUCE ASSOCIATION.

TO THE JSDJTOR

Sir It will be remembered th.it come'months ago the farmers of Marlborough 'vigorously protested, against the monopolistic methods • adopted by the recently-formed Merchants' Produce, Association, and took; such action as was calculated to prove that they did not intend to be .imposed upon. Now, perhaps your readers would be interested to know whether the severe lesson taught the meri chants on that occasion has had a -lasting effect. I regret to discover that such has not been the case, as is shown by the following letter, dated April 12th, 1912, from the President of the Association to Messrs Laery and Co., of. Wellington: — "As you are doubtless aware, the local produce merchants have formed themselves into an Association, having for its Objects the betterment of trade generally, and of the conditions | governing it. It is felt by the local I Association that the mutual advan- , tage of "both buyers and sellers can be catered for and established by a conference between the Wellington merchants engaged, in thistrade and ourselves, and we have decided to ask if your firm will meet us in .conference, on a date to be arranged, when the various matters of mutual interest to our trade can be fully discussed, and perhaps a course mapped out for the benefit of all concerned. I am sending this letter to all members of the trade at present dealing largely with Marlborough produce, but if there are any you think should be represented at the proposed conference, I shall be. glad if you will arrange for their attendance. I leave the date, of the proposed conference to be fixed by your representatives, bat'suggest if it is suitable to all concerned, that Friday, 26th April, would be a convenient date for our delegates. If you will go into the matter, and advise me. of the .suit-: ability of this date, and arrange- a place of meeting, I feel sure the outcome of such a conference will be the means, as I have saidj of placing our trade on a more satisfactory footing all round. I shall be glad to hay,e your early reply, so that I can arrange with, my Association the objects to be discussed, and the delegates to be selected." The reply, which has also been handed to me—no doubt with a, view to publication—runs thus:—

"We are in receipt of yours of the 12th instant, and note that the' local prcdur-e merchants of Blenheim have f'"ivrw?rl themselves into an association. We thank you for requesting us to send a' representative to 'a conference hut find that we must decline. Again thanking yon." ;

Now, while there is no objection to the formation of Produce Associations for legitimate purposes, there are very vital reasons why. the methods revealed en the occasion to which I hr.Tro referrc<J sho"ld be strongly dis-ooip-agod. Nothing should bp done by wy c? nonopolv to injure the in-tr"-e?J^ of the i^'odncerp. Due consideration should be- fiiv^n to the various handff^ps . that the.farmers have to work under—such as unfavorable reasons, floods. inferior seeds, high' land values, high nrice or scarcity of^ labor, etc.; and sur'ply these conditions are enough for the farmers to fight against wihtout piecing obstacles between them and the open markets.

S. M. NEVILLE