FARMERS' PROBLEMS.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 28 July 1922, Page 2

FARMERS' PROBLEMS.

To the Editor.

Sir, —ln bis business experience every farmer must sooner or later feel the need of organisation. In my previous letters I have endeavoured to thow the possibilities of organised Credit Associations. The modem business motto might be described as " combination for protection cf mutual interests." The farmer has not yet fallen into line and is suffering in conconsequence.

I invite any intelligent farmer to spend a few hours weekly at the Burnside stock sale. If he keeps his eyes and ears open he cannot fail to be impressed with the utility of combination He will find that the auctioneers have a mutual understanding in the matter of their charges and commissions. Apparently they da not believe that "competition is the life of trade."

Our, visitor will alio find.a strong combination amongst the butchers in the matter of buying. Likewise the freezing companies recognise the futility of cutting one anotter's throats. The producers of fat stock stand out individually, without organisation, and trust to luek.

There are two important reforms that suggest tbemjelves to the writer as desirable. One of tbess is the establishment of a weighing machine. This matter was brought up by the Farmers Union, but did not receive favourable consideration from the stock and station agents.

The other reform is suggested by the 'Meat Pool," and nimß at regulating tbe supply of fat stock to auctions so as to avoid over supply.

While rbe combinations effected by buyers, auctioneers, etc.. are sometimes inimical to farmers' interests the proposed reform woald not injure any Bection of the public if ra&sonably and judiciously handled. In tbe endeavour to provide a "standard supply" to our fat stock sales, a farmers' representative coald be put in charge of railway trucks (stock); all orders to be under his censorship. During rush times and droughts, etc. a free market could be declared, and an endeavour made to deal with tbe ■urplua stock that flood the market at these .times. Those who drive their atock to market would hate to order "dummy trucks." The question of the weighing machine should be preseed and the auctioneers given to understand that they are not the masters of the situation. This means Farmers' Banks and a strong vigorous Farmers' Union, free from the leading strings of party politics.—l am etc., Rustic. July 22nd