A Few Words to Farmers.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1890, 29 September 1886, Page 3

A Few Words to Farmers.

The following remark* are taken from the Bangitikei Advocate, and they will be read with intereet by farmer! and others in the Wairarapa “ The Bangitikei district being chiefly agricultural and pastoral, farming in its widest sense may be regarded as the mainstay of at least nine-tenths of the population. We have many times urged the formation of farmers' clubs, where matters might be discussed pertaining to that industry ; but the clubs bare not been a success, although tried in various centres. In England and Scotland every central town has its market day, where the farmers look upon it as a matter of business that they should attend to hear the various pi ices that stock are fetching, and it is usual in many towns to have n subject taken op at dinner and disensaed. Here, with no general market duy, it is difficult to get fanners to devote a day to attend any slab. The evenings are often wet and cold, and people prefer to remain at home. We cannot help aayiug, however, that organisation is the greatest power any eomffiunity baa. Whilst others are organ* king, either to gain better prices for their products or higher interest for their money, higher rates for insurance or higher freights, the tanner all the world over is content to take things as they come—grumble a great deal, no donbl, bnt organise never. An attempt baa just been made to inaugurate a weolgrowers' association in North Canterbury. We hope it may succeed, and many kindred societies likewise. New Zealand has passed through as terrible a crisis lately as any country has ever had the fortune to face Products of all kinds have been steadily falling in value. Cattle, sheep, pigs, grain, have touched as low a point as ever in the history of price* in this colony, whilst wool and tallow fell to unheard of prices in the London market. We have heard complaints that the rise of which we heard of by telegram bad not been borne ont by “ account sales.” The fact is that the prices at the Uay sales suffered a very severe drep, and it took all the rise which took place at the Jane series to recover the December prices. Had a rise not taken place when it did. New Zealand would have received a terrible blow. Prices on all bands seem to have reached their lowest ebb Wool has shown a rise ; tallow is recovering slewly ; wheat has gone up wonderfully. Unfortunately the low prices of the last lew years have driven the fanners in this district to leave wheat grow ing severely alone. Frozen mntlon keeps (lor this time of the year) a fait value in tondon. Beef and mutton are very dear in the Australian colonies. Even store bullocks have latched £ls in Melbourne. The pros pect for the fanners is therefore more cheery than for some time peat. In oar particular district the prospect is a much rosier one, we think, than in moat localities. The railway to Wellington will make, without doubt, a vaat improvement in the returns to settlers on this eoaat. Hitherto the buyers of stock were able to come when they ihonght tit, and farmers had either to take the price offered or not sell. Now things will bo different. The frozen meat trade has assumed such dimensions that notwithstanding every effort on the part of the present companies to create a monopoly for themselves, it cannot be long before increased carrying power must come; and although space' for frozen sheep is very scarce this year it will not remain ao lung. Sellers of mutton will, if onr ideas are correct, have the option of ■hipping on their own account and taking the risk, or selling to shippers, besides the local market, lu grain, too, the cost and risk of placing it on board ship for export will be reduced, and if wheat recovers on the Loudon market growers will be able to quickly take advantage of such a rise. Other industries will be gainers. Wellington is going to be the largest city in the colony before many years are over. Much timber will be required. Hitherto Wairarapa has practically snpplied the whole ot Wellington's building timber. Mannwatu will now be able to compete, and tbe vast area of virgin bnah to the north ot tbe settled district will soon be attacked. On tbe whole, we heartily congratulate all tbe community on the West Coast npon the brighter prospects in store for then.”