WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2758, 18 March 1890, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Formation of a Branch at Hamilton.

A -meeting of fanners mid others was lie! in Tub Waikato Times Buildings at p.iti. on Saturday afternoon, to conaidi advisability of forming a branch of tli Waikato Fanners' Club. Present: Messi A. Primrose (iti* the chair), Parr, Murray J. Primrose, bare, Coatea, Edmonds, Rut ciman, Henry, Dawson, Hill, Dyer, Buttli Edgecumbe, Swarbiick, Barton, Gribblc von Stunner, Hibba and , the Rev, IVJ Biggs. , r )'' =, \ 1 The Chairman read the notice Calling th meeting, and said that at first he had de clined to call the meeting, but on th matter being pressed ho had done so. I regard to the advisability of forming club of this description there could be no que; tion, and he need say nothing to show th utility, as it was well-known. The matte rested with themselves, whether the would unito and push it along. Farmer were not the only ones interested, but, a present, they were the ones bearing th brunt of the battle. He would leave th question in the hands of the meeting. H then read a letter from Mr S. T. Seddon regretting his inability to attend, and pro mising his hearty support to the movement which had his entire sympathy. Capt. Runcitnan then moved that i branch of the Waikato Farmers' Club bi inaugurated in Hamilton, He impresse( 011 them all the necessity of union amoni the farmers, who at present seemed to havi no rallying point. • ■ In seconding the motion, Mr John Pari said that it was time for the fanners to d( something for themselves, as they were th< only body that was not united, and on< that needed union the most. The labourers by combination had obtained their demands, and the same results would follow farmers, if the farmers were to establish these clubs throughout the colony. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. The appointment of secretary was then proceeded with. Mr lx. Edgecuinbe said that a volunteer was worth a good many pressed men, and at the first mention, of the establishment of a club in Hamilton, Mr Barton had offered his services as secretary if they could be of any avail. The whole success of the club rested, he said, with the farmers who must enter heartily into the movement and not in the slip-shod manner that h.vi characterised them previously. They must attend the meetings and take an interest in the business if they wished to succeed. Many will perhaps say tha-t after a hard day's work they were too tired to attend meetings, but he said that there were' very few farmers who put in longer or harder days than he &'id, and he could find time to attend meetings; the farmers require a little extra "go" in them. The Clubs must be worked on broad lines, so that in benefitting the farmers the whole commuuity will be benefitted. Mr Barton said that he would do all in [lis power to assist the executive as secretary, and his offer was unanimously, acjepted. As a representative of the small farmers, Mr E. C. Shepherd said that that body lad been • looking forward anxiously ;o the formation of this Club, as it vas not supposed that a district like ;he Hamilton, one with so many farmers nit would not form a club. Small farmers lad received so many disappointments, that ;o elicit their support tha club must make a .mall beginning. The club at Cambridge vas working in such a practical way, and loing so much good that many had been von over to the idea already. It would be , poor thing for the farmers for people to ay that they were the only body who could lot form a brotherhood among theruelves. Mr A. Sivarbvick said that with regard o farmers combining, it was only a quesion of time, as they must do something to letter themselves or else be exterminated ltoeether. Few people he thought recoglised that farming, requires more capital nd more labour, and gives less result than ny other industry, and it seemed absurd 0 him that the class on whom the whole ommunity must depend should not be Ilowed to exist. The farmers are crushed d the wall between finance —I hat is axes and interest —on one hand nd tlio person to whom thoy ■ sell beir produce on the other. They must irefully watch the taxation, railway liargef, and the like, and get them reduced :> as to get a fair return on their produce, 'he pi ices of their produce must be reguited by the world's prices, that are ruling 1 London, and not by their local markets. Vhilo the farmers are divided, and the ix-gatherer and financier united, the inner will be sure to be crushed to the 'all. Mr R. N. Buttle hoped that instead of le meetings being held in the evenings icy would be held of an afternoon. On the motion of Mr Dyer, seconded by [r Shepherd, it was resolved that the hairman and Messrs Edgecutnbe and warbrick be associated with the Secretary, i communicate with the Waikato Farmers' lub, and get all necessary information, id report at a meeting to be held on Saturly afternoon next. All those present wero quested to canvass their districts to ascerin what support the Club will obtain, he whole of the gentlemen present enlled themselves as members, and the folwiiig names of those unable to atteud 're handed in as members Messrs J. C. x>th,Calder, Bettley, Home, Livingstone, . Rainer, John Reed, Hatrick, Webster 1 d G. Runciman. A vote of thanks to the chair closed the ■ seting.