1 Juny, 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 19 
town of the butter, while the storekeeper got 6d. per lb. for allowing it to lie 
on his counter for thirty minutes. With regard, however, to a member of a 
co-operative society disposing of his produce other than through that society 
who could blame him if he got a better price by so doing ? 
Mr. S. A. Lrypeman (Bundaberg) asked whether in the Brisbane society, 
which had been referred to, and which had failed, the profits were to be paid to the 
shareholders ? 
Voices: Yes. 
Mr. Linpeman said that in such cases he would always venture to predict 
failures. If the dividends were distributed among the shareholders, it was a 
commercial and not a co-operative concern. A. butter factory had been started 
in Bundaberg a few days ago, and in the original prospectus the profits were 
to be divided among the producers, but when the matter came before the meet- 
ing it was thought by some that the profits should be distributed among the 
shareholders, according to the shares they held. He (Mr. Lindeman), how- 
ever, moved and carried an amendment that the profits be distributed according 
to the value of the produce supplied to the co-operation by each member. If 
in a co-operative society there were a number of shareholders who were not 
producers, these men, as often as not, were behind the scenes, and if the com- 
pany was prospering would buy up the unappropriated shares as well as shares 
from other holders. The company, of course, then~rapidly went from a 
co-operative to a commercial concern. He would therefore impress on them 
the necessity of always insisting, in the establishment of co-operative societies, 
that the profits be divided among the producers, and according to the amount 
of the produce supplied. He would also suggest that none but bond fide 
producers be allowed on the directorate. , 
Mr. W. J. Youne (North Isis) thought many would agree with him when 
he said that the farming class in Queensland was about as hard as any to get 
on with. ‘They knew as little about business as most people, and, as long as 
human nature was what it was, he thought co-operation would never succeed. 
He concurred with Mr. Whiteley in the advantages of a market where buyers 
could deal direct with sellers, but he thought the kind of storekeeper referred 
to by Mr. Jorgensen was very rare in Queensland. ‘Taking things all round, 
the profits realised in this colony through the sale of produce were barely 
sufficient to pay for the cost of distribution. Farmers desired cash, and, in a 
co-operative society, growers would haye to wait for their money or have their 
produce sold on commission. After referring to the way in which farmers 
sometimes rushed markets, he (Mr. Young) stated that he thought the 
establishment of central markets, like that mentioned by Mr. Whiteley, would 
do away with many of the difficulties farmers had at present to contend with 
in this direction. ' 
Mr. Jas. Davies (Coowonga) stated that he had been connected with 
co-operation in the old country, and his experience of it had been of a very 
satisfactory nature. He was in one small company which started with a 
capital of £1,000. Five years after, when he left the country, the value of 
the company’s property and capital had increased to £5,000. In the rules of 
a co-operative company formed for distributing purposes should be one to. 
expel members who disposed of their produce other than through the society. 
Another advantage in a society would be the provision for allowing advances 
to be made, if necessary, on produce that was brought in by members. This 
would be of great help to many struggling farmers. 
At this stage the Cuarrman read the following letter, dated 7th May, 
which he had just received from Mr. T. R. Garrick, secretary of the Milbong 
Farmers’ Association, Milbong, Fassifern :— 
The members of the above association would most respectfully ask you to draw 
the attention of the delegates of the various agricultural societies to the anomaly that 
exists in regard to the buying of wheat and the selling of flour. I may mention that: 
the secretaries of several kindred associations have been communicated with on ; 
purpose to have the views of their associations on the subject, and, acting on the 
‘ 
Yet 
