CO – OPERATION OF LAND, LABOUR, AND CAPITAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7403, 11 August 1885, Page 6

CO - OPERATION OF LAND, LABOUR, AND CAPITAL.

A largely attended meeting was held in the Temperance Hall last night, to receive the report from the committee of the New Zealand Co-operative Land and Labour Company (Limited). Mr. H. W. Farnall occupied the chair, and there were also on the platform Messrs. W. L. Rees, O. Mays, C. S. Wright, G. Peaoocke, Jury, and Rev. W. Tebbs.

The Chairman read the report, from which we make the following extract-

Your Committee are of opinion that co-operation upon the terms and conditions suggested by Mr. Rees, and laid down by the memorandum and articles of the New Zealand Co-operative Land ami Labour Company (Limited), is calculated to be eminently useful and successful. They consider the joinder of the threo factors of production In one ownership as likely to produce a great and beneficial change in the social economy of the people. They are also of opinion that joining the producer, the capitalist, and the consumer In partnership of property and profits will solve ho question of modern social difficulty by firing to each portion of the Industrial community the full value of its labour. They therefore unanimously advise that shareholders should be at once enrolled in Auckland in the New Zealand Co-operative Land and Labour Company (Limited), and that working committees should be formed to canvas the city and suburbs for the purpose of obtaining adherents and support. The following resolution, adapted by the Hubcommittee. was appended to the report— "Hiat within twelve months a central Board of Directors be formed to consist of delegates from local Boards of Directory and th in the meantime local Boards have power over all funds raised in their districts, and this resolution be added to the report of the Sub-C>muilttee."

Mr. Rkes moved the adoption of the report in a lengthy speech, enumerating the many benefits to be derived from joining the company formed. He referred to the insurance fund which was embodied in tho scheme, by which a man, be he a shareholder or a labourer in the company, would for ten years be entitled to the profits during that period. He instanced the accumulated profits of societies in England, where no less than two millions had accumulated, \Vhieh could not be disposed of. He quoted the Auckland Savings' Bank, whioh to make use of their funds put up a large new building. Instead of this accumulation the members would all share in the profits, be they small or large. Mr. C. S. Wright seconded the motion.

Rev. W. Tbbbs supported the motion, and said that when ho arrived here he was astonished at the number of men in the oity wanting to go on to the land which extended as far as the eye could see, and was fertile, and only requiring them to be put upon it. He came from the very heart of the agricultural district of England, and knew that there were many who would come here and work on their land if they were put upon it. He had had the scheme shown him by Mr. Kecs, and found upon examining it that it was perfect, and absolutely without a flaw. He said this, not that he had the slightert interest in land or the company, for he possessed not an acre in the country, but because he believed it to be to the true interest of them all. He did not decry the desire to have a fair share of this world's ijoods. He concluded by saying that if they wished to push the scheme to a success, " it would be well if 'twere done quickly." The report was then adopted unanimously. Mr. Gerald Pkacjocke moved, "That shareholders in the New Zealand Co-opera-live Land and Labour Company be at once enrolled, and that local directors be ap pointed." There was no doubt that farming was not paying, at instanced by the constant complaints of the farmer, and further, the unemployed they had to face, who were all clamouring for work. To remedy the last evil they required to go about the duty at once, and the remedy to his mind was the land and co-operation scheme, which brought all the factors that produce wealth upon one common platform. In this scheme there was no intended interference with the vested interests of any person or persons of any sort.

Mr. C. Philips seoonded the motion, which was carried.

Mr. H. K. Jury proposed "That all industrial and friendly organisations in New Zealand be requested to join in this movement, and also that they be asked to paas resolutions calling upon corresponding associations in the United Kingdom, and in the other colonies, and in the United States to do the same." He believed that the scheme proposed would bridge the chasm which had stood between labour and capital hitherto.

Mr. 0. Mays seconded the motion, and warmly supported the scheme. The motion was then put and carricd unanimously.

Before the meeting broke up a large number of those present gave in their names as shareholder*, at the invitation of Mr. Rees.