i8 COMMERCIAL ASPECTS OF MILK-SUPPLY 



there are, clearly enough, intermediate profits being 

 made which, unless unduly high prices are to be paid by 

 the consumer, may well keep down the amount received 

 by the producer, especially if he should have no organ- 

 ization at his back to see that justice is done to him. 

 Some years ago, when the farmers in the West of 

 England complained of the small returns they were 

 getting on their milk, the Great Western Railway 

 Company, with the idea of helping them, granted a 

 reduction in the rates for the carriage of milk. But 

 the farmers got none of the benefit, as the wholesale 

 dealers at once reduced their allowance to the farmers 

 by a proportionate amount. 



Obviously the real remedy lies in the direction of 

 combined effort among the milk-producers themselves ; 

 and what combination can do is well shown in the case 

 of the Staffordshire Farmers' Association, which was 

 formed, in 1897, w r ith the following object in view: 



The object of the association is to secure for its members by 

 co-operation the most favourable condition for carrying on the 

 business of farming with financial success. This object may be 

 attained in the following manner : 



1. By discussion and agreement upon the fair market price that 

 ought to be obtained for farm produce. 



2. By giving information and assistance to members to help 

 them to make satisfactory contracts, and by supplying printed 

 forms for contracts, with a view of securing uniformity and fair 

 dealing. 



3. By assisting members at any time in obtaining information as 

 to the stability of traders, and, in certain test cases, taking legal 

 advice, as the executive committee may decide. 



4. By obtaining the best terms possible from the railway com- 

 panies for the carriage of all farm produce, and also by obtaining 

 all other railway facilities that may be required. 



5. By using all efforts to prevent adulteration of dairy produce, 

 feeding-stuffs, and manures. 



6. By co-operation, amalgamation, or affiliation with any other 

 kindred associations. 



7. By making arrangements for bringing the producer into con- 

 tact with the retail dealers and consumers. 



