SOUTHLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 1897, 12 June 1890, Page 18

SOUTHLAND.

Proposed Pabmebs' Agency.—A meeting of farmers was held In the Prince of Wales Hotel on Saturday afternoon to conalder the advisableness of forming a Farmers' Agency Company in Southland. About 40 gentlemen were present, and the convener of the meeting, Mr W. Halliday, presided. The Chairman explained that a private meeting had been held about a fortnight previously to take the subject into consideration, when a resolution had been passed affirming the desirableness of forming such an agency. It was then decided, he said, to adjourn in order to have a full meeting of farmers to further discuss the subject and come to some definite decision. All were aware of what the farmers aimed at—they wished to get a fair share of the profits from the sale of their produce. He pointed out that if they had- the agency farmers would have more confidence in placing their produce for sale. They could also procure seeds and manures at less cost and dispose of their wool more advantageously, and he firmly believed they would be better able to find fresh markets than the existing companies. At present all the agents did was to sell the produoe and get their commission. Once they got a fair start with a farmers' agency he believed it would meet with the same success bb the Southland Frozen Meat Company. Large steamers were now calling regularly at the Bluff, and he believed they could easily send away from 100,000 to 200,000 sacks of grain annually by them on the guarantee principle the same ai with frozen meat. Most of them were no doubt aware of the high prices now ruling at Home for oats. If they sent their grain Home by the steamers he had referred to they would certainly get better prices than they were at present receiving, but this would never come to pass if they depended on the companies. Then there was the question of dressing oats, and many other things which would be advantageous to farmers if such an agency were formed. At the request of the chairman, Mr Q-. M'Leod read a number of extracts from a paper on the co-operative movement in South Canterbury which appeared in a recent number of the Otago Witness, and which showed in detail the objects of the South Canterbury Association, and the mode in which they were carried out. The Chairman, continuing his remarks, said the working capital of the South Canterbury Association would suit them very well, and if half were called up it would be quite sufficient to enable them to start operations. They wnnted that, and a good manager, and mi eoergotic board of direotors, and the thing could not help being a success. Of course they had all heard nf the mistakes of the pait, and similar errors would have to be avoided. On the other hand the South Canterbury Association had been a success, and a movement was now on foot to form a similar society in Dunedin. He urged that farmers should not hang back to see how the venture was likely to turn out but should come forward and take up shares at once. He read a letter from the Hokonui Farmers' Club expressing approval of the objects of the meeting. He then proposed a motion confirming the desirability of forming a Pnrmers' Co-operative Association, remarking that the last co-operative association had been a failure through mismanagement, but that was no reason why the same thing should occur again. The private companies were Becuring large profits which went away to England instead of remaining in the colony. In South Canterbury the society had started with a nominal capital of £50,000, but of that amount only some £11,000 was paid up, and during the year 1889 they had made a profit of £SCOO. He saw no reason why such a society in Southland should not meet with like success. Personally, if the constitution of the sooiety pleased him, he would agree to take a certain number of shares, and if others did the same there would be no difficulty about making a start. He thought a committee should be formed to ascertain what support the undertaking was likely to receive. On being put the motion was carried unanimously, Mr M'Leod then moved —" That a committee be formed to ascertain what sur port an agency company would get in the Southland district." Mr Jas. Mackintosh seconded the motion, and said that while no individual farmer could get space for his produce when he wanted it, such a company as that proposed would be able to charter vesiels for themselves. He believed that a small beginning would be best, and that if there were only two dozen farmers in the company others would soon follow. An agency company would be of the greatest possible value to the district, and was the only means by which farmers would get fair play. If they confined themselves to an agency business they could not go wrong. The mistakes in the old association had been that they tried too much, entering into a competition with the shopkeepers of the town, which ended disastrously. The motion was carried and the following gentlemen appointed to form the committee:—Messrs W. Halliday, Q-. M'Leod, W. Bonald, James Blakle, J. Grant, A. M'Kay, A. M'Pherson, R. Copeland, A. M'Nei!, James Bain, and John Thomson, Benr.—Southland Times.