TUAPEKA FARMERS' UNION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1733, 25 October 1890, Page 3

TUAPEKA FARMERS' UNION.

The monthly meeting of the above Union, which had been adjourned from the 15th inst., owing to the inclemency of the weather, was held in the Tuapeka West schoolhouse on Saturday evening last; Mr J. Smith (VicePresidenfc) in the chair. The attendance of members was somewhat limited owing to the boisterous nature of the weather. QORRBSPONDBNCE. A communication was read' from the Executive of tbe New Zealand Farmers' Union requesting that three delegates should be appointed to attend the meeting of the Union to be held in Dunedin on the 22nd inst. Touchers were also received from the Tuapeka County Council in connection with the subsidy granted by the Council for the past year for small birds eggs. -Received. ?o ; -DELEGATES. Messrs Cormack, Smith, and Williams were appointed delegates to attend tbe annual meeting of thetmion in Dunedin. It is to be hoped that one result of the conference may be to popularise tbe Union among the settlers and induce them to take a stronger interest in its affaire. It is also much to be desired that whatever political platform may be decided qn will have the unanimous sudport of members of the branches throughout Otago, otherwise it is vain to expect that any good will come of the deliberations of the conference. In this matter, aa in all else affecting their own interests, members must be true to each and to themselves and loyal to the Union ; and if they are they are bound to make steady headway in the attainment of their objects. CO-OPERATIVK ASSOCIATION. At the close of the Union meeting, the public meeting recently resolved on reforming a co-operative association for Otago was held ; Mr John Smith in the chair. Mr Geo. Bedpath read a circular received by the Tuapeka Farmers' Union from Mr Christie, Warepa, setting forth the benefits to be derived from co-operation. Everyone present was fully impressed with the great adtages of co-operation among the farmers. On that point there was a decided unanimity of opinion, though it was thought, owing to the importance of the subject, that it would be advisable to defer its consideration until a larger meeting. It was subsequently decided, however, to proceed with the business, and so dispose of the matter. The circular referred to contained, in a condensed form, a good deal of valuable information showing the working as well as the profits and general benefits of the Canterbury Associations. It was shown, for instance, that the Timaru Association's balance-sheet last year came out with a profit of £4,500, and the Chriatcburch Association of £8,800. The bulk of these rams has been distributed pro rota among the members who gave the business to the Associations, either as dividends on capital or bonuses on business done, and in this way upwards of £30,000 has been returned to the farmers during the nine years the Associations have been in existence. But besides this the Associations supply the members with all tbe necessary requirements for stock, station, agricultural, and domestic purposes at the lowest possible prices. Set out on the circular were a number of questions arranged with the view of determining the feelings of the settlers. To the first question asked— viz., Are you in favour of a new Co-operative Association? the answer was "yes." To the 2nd question, Are you in favour of joining in with any existing agency ? the answer was as follows :— " After the Association is formed, this meeting would be in favour of joining in with an existing agency, if found convenient." The 3rd question asks : "If in favour of the former, how many shares will the members oi your club or the fanners and others in your neighbourhood take up ?" The answer to this was that canvassers would be appointed to ascertain. Messrs Osborne and Geo. Smith were appointed to canvass the upper part of the district and Evans Flat, and Messrs Beard and Bedpath the lower part, also Tuapeka Mouth, Waitahuna West, and Tuapeka Flat for the purpose of ascertaining as nearly as possible the amount of support which would be forthcoming. Shares were promised in the room amounting to £160, and I have no doubt whatever when the settlers generally understand the many substantial advantages which such an association places within their reach there will be a general readiness io help on the undertaking. - {Corretpondcnt.)