The Grain Bag Question.

Southland Times, Issue 4897, 25 March 1884, Page 2

The Grain Bag Question.

— ♦ (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.} A very large and influential meeting from all the surrounding districts was held at Gore to-day to discuss the action of the Dunedin grain merchants in reference to their refusal to pay for bags with grain The meeting was convened by the secretary of the A. and P. Association, at the request of the president, G. P. Austing, Esq., who occupied the chair and introduced the business. The following resolutions were carried unanimously : — By Mr Chisholm, seconded by Mr 1 alconer— •< That this meeting is of opinion that the present system of receiving a fair value for bags is just and equitable, and that we pledge ourselves to do all in our power to frustrate the attempt of a section of the Dunedin grain buyers to have the bags weighed in." Mr Chisholm spoke strongly and eloquently in support of his resolution, and stigmatised the action of the Dunedin merchants as likely to prove a heavier tax than any the farmers have yet submitted to, and one from which they will have no recurring benefit. Mr Dodds and others spoke in favor of the motion. . Proposed by Mr I. Simson, seconded by Mr J. S. Shanks— "That the grain producers of this disrridt pledge themselves not to Bell to any buyer who will not pay for bags as sucb." Mr Martin spoke in favor of the Christchurch system of merchants supplying producers with bags whan the grain wa3 Bold. Mr Dodds moved— "That a Co-operative Farmers' Association be formed." The motion was lost, the meeting probably having in view a recent failure in that direction. Mr Waddell spoke strongly in favor of farmers joining the A. and P. Association, and by their presence at the periodical meetings of the society testifying to the interest they take in the welfare of what concerns them so closely. This view wan also strongly advocated by the chairman, who ventured to say that no co-operation was necessary to secure just and equitable treatment from the buyers, provided that the farmers meet often in such numbers as were present that day, and discussed questions affectinsr their interests. Mr Douglas, of the. Mercantile Agency Co., also tbouyiit that co-operation was unnecessary, as if Dunedin merchants cl»ORe to adopt certain resolutions it did not follow that In vercargill and other centres of tradft need necessarily follow their dictum. Dunedin was not the only market available, and so long as other towns took no action in the matter there was nothing to fear. I have not seen such a large meeting of farmers for years,notwithstanding the busy season, thus affirming their deep interest in the matter at issue. March 22nd, 1884.