THE COLONIST. Published Every Morning. Monday, February 21,1910. CO-OPERATION IN AGRICULTURE

Colonist, Volume LII, Issue 12724, 21 February 1910, Page 2

THE COLONIST. Published Every Morning. Monday, February 21, 1910. CO-OPERATION IN AGRICULTURE

! The initiation of an export trade in ' fruit, which is on a fair way to become the staple product of the several districts in the Dominion most •' favoured climatically, brings home to growers— or if it does not it should do so— the urgent necessity for a perfected organisation which would not only perform the functions of a federation of fruit growers' associations, but be the source of solution of all the individual grower's problems in the orchard and .in. the transport; and distribution of his'produce. The necessity for organisation is, of course, no new thing, nor is it confined to. the fruit growing industry.

It has been felt with varying degrees of acuteness for many years, in every department of agriculture, and many more or loss successful efforts to meet it haye been made, in the formation of agricultural and pastoral associations, the Farmers' Union, the National Dairy Association, and other bodies watching the interests of particuar pursuits. There is none, however, to which -the fruit grower, the dairyman, or the pastoralisfc may alike appeal for advice on such points as the purchase of requirements, and assistance in securing the best markets or terms for transport. There is no organisation embracing air agricultural pursuits, with the numerical' and financial strength to conduct a reliable intelligence service in all!countries where New Zealand produce finds a market. There^is no such institution in New Zealand as the Agricultural Organisation Society of England and Wales, some particulars of the remarkable work of which have lately been brought under our notice. This society co-ordinates all farming interests, wherein lies its strength; Its objects, taken from an official publication, may be briefly summarised as follows : — To advocate the principles of co-operation amongst agriculturists, and; give advice and assistance in the formation and organisation of co-operative agricultural societies in suitable districts ; to advise branch societies in matters of policy arid business j assist in negotiations with government departments, and obtain expert advice by correspondence or lectures upon scientific or practical matters connected with agriculture. The society aids the farmer, in purchasing all his requirements to the best advantage ; in' securing the best market for the sale of his produce ; v and in opening up communication v.-ith 'remote districts. Some idea of the extent of the operations of the society may be gathered from a formidable return showing the number and, nature of co-opera-tive agricultural- societies affiliatod to it last year,: which is as follows:- — Societies for the supply of requirements and .sale of produce, 136; dairy, bottled mflk and cheese-mak-ing societies, 13; small holdings and allotments societies, 129; agricultural oredit' societies, 23; auction markets, 4; fruit grading societies, 1; motor' service- societies, 1 ; co-opera-tive farming societies, 3 ; co-operative milling societies, 1 ; rural industries societies, 2; agricultural federations, 2; agricultural bank, 1; agricultural insurance society, 1; total 317. In addition to. these, a number of other societies were in process of formation when the return was -made up, and enquiries were being received from various parts of the country. The society does no trade and makes no .profit, being supported almost entirely by voluntary contributions. The affiliated co-operative societies are self -supporting "and self -governed. It appears "'to us that there is an extensive field •in this : -Dominion for the operations of a federation such as that in the United Kingdom whose functions we have briefly indicated,!

The several organisations already in existence are dc-mg excellent work for the farming community, but their functions are as restricted as their number is many, and this is a case in which numbers do not necessarily imply concerted action or strength. The province of no one of the existing bodies need be encroached upon by a central agricultural organisation, which if conducted on the right lines would no doubt be welcomed and supported by all of them. Wo understand that the promotion of a New Zealand body resembling in its aims the Agricultural Organisation Society at Home has already been mooted in New Zealand, and the project appears to be well worthy of serious consideration.