CO-OPERATIVE FARMING.

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 111, 21 January 1873, Page 3

CO-OPERATIVE FARMING.

Mr Brando, Sprnkor of the House of Commons , gave his annual treat to the labourers on the Glynde estate, to celebrate the m-gathering of the harvest on Siturday. The right hon. gentleman presided at the dinner, nncl, in reply to the toast of liid health, proposed in the most cordial terms by the Ticar of G-lynde (tl c "Rev AY ile Si Crois), he congratulated those present upon the abundance of the hanoit m that part of the country, expressing his legret that all jxirts of tlie kingdom had not been similarly favoured. The right hon. gentleman continued: — It will be in \our recollection that about threo yeais ago, when Me assembled in this tent , I called the attention of the joung boy 3 m my employ to the necessity of those who could not then read and write, and, who wished to remain in my service, to learn to do so at once ; and I warned them unless they did so they would not continue in my service. I am happy lo find that that warning has produced a good effect, and I intend to adhere to the principle that all boys who wish to be employed by me must learji to read und write before the; can receive wages. Now I suppose that in these time*, when there is so much, talk about the rate of wages, you will hardly think I am doing my duty if I do not bay something in reference to the agitation which is going on throughout the kingdom. My opinion is we shall never have a satisfactory settlement of the question until the labourer receives m some shape or other a share, though it may be a small one, of the profit of the business in which he is engaged. I refer not only to those employed upon farms, but to tlio*c engaged in mining, in manufactories, and in trades of all kinds. But, you will say, how is the labourer to derive any share of the profits of fanning when he has no capital ? Well, it is quite true that you have no capital beyond your labour, but what is capital ? Capital is nothing more nor less than labour husbanded. Wow, if you could save any money, however small the amount, and could invest it in carrying on a farm, I think, according to the sum so invested, you would be entitled to a share in the profits of that farm. I will give }ou a practical illustration of what I mean. Some of jou, I dare sa}, are fortunate enough to have a few pounds in the savings bmk, and I boliove the savings bank limits the interest, paid on the imestraents to 2V percent. Now, I will make a proposition to you, and to all in my employ. If you have got £5, wo will say, in the savings bank, and jou would like to lend that to my farming business, T will engage to give you as the savings bank does, 2} per cent, for the money. And I will do more than that. I will, supposing tho profits of the farm amount to more than 2} per cent, upon tho money 1 have invested, 1 will give you ratably precisely tho same interest upon the capital you lend me. That 13 to say, supposing I get 10 per cent, as profit on the capital I have invested on the farm, you shall have 10 per cent, on your £5 instead of 2V. So you see you w ill be in this position — that you will never get less than tno 2i per cent, you receive at pi-espnt, and if the farm yields more jou will have the benefit of it. Some will probably say, " How am I to get the £5 ?" Well, we know it does not rain five pound notes, but I will suggest to those who have not that amount in band that they should lay by so much a week. The rate of pa}' to the boys is from 3s 6cl to 4s per week, and the wages increase according to the ability to work. The carters, shepherdsf 4c, for instance, receive about 15s per week, and out o, that it seems to me it is by no means impossible that some may save 2s per week ; and if you pay me that sum I will engage at the end of the year, to pay you the £5, if you desire it, plus 2 V per cent., or whatever higher rate of interest arise 3 from the year's farming ojwrations. lam quite sure of this, that we shall never come to a satisfactory bcttlement of the relations between employer and employed until tho latter, according to the amount of labour and capital he has invested, lias an interest in tha good conduct of the concern. My solo object is to give jou a personal pecuniary interest in the conduct of the farm, and to endeavour to raise you a little above the position you now occupy as labourers. The right hon. gentleman's propositions wero yei 1 } fa\ourably diseiiiscd by the men during the day.