THE FARMERS' SIDE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2529, 25 September 1888, Page 2

THE FARMERS' SIDE.

TO THB EDITOR. Sir,—l have read with interest your late article on the subject of co-operation among farmers, for the disposal of their product*; and here let me tender my thanks for your able efforts to improvo the existing state of things. The more economic disposal of our produce, is, I think the crying want of the present day. In tho case of wheat, we are at the mercy of two Auckland millers, who, so long as they work together can dictate terms to us ; in proof of which have they not given fourpence per bushel less this season for Waikato wheat than for Southoru ? In the case of meat we are at the mercy of auctioneers and butchers; we all know too well what the result is. Now I think many of us still believe in co-operation, thrigh our faith has been pretty well shaken in the past and our eyes painfully opened as to possible results. Still there is faith. What we want is that the risk should be done away with, or at anyrato reduced to a minimum. Ido not agree with you that the principal reason against self-help is that we are not our own masters. Still many of us could not afford to incur certain risk for a doubtful benefit. This I think would be the case, were the offer of the Freezing Company accepted. The only certainty about it is that we know what we would have to pay and that we would have to wait a long time for our motley. But let the Freezing Company make such an offer as that of the Queensland Meat Export Company (quoted in your columns) viz., to buy our meat at a certain schedule price, varying with tho time of year and then see what the result would be. If they could not afford to give the price quoted in the Auckland reports, such a scheme is not wanted. If they could I venture to predict that we should not be found such servile bond-slaves as you seem to think.—l am &c. FAUMHft Rangiaohia.