16 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. {1 Jory, 1898. 
had now a monthly journal by which the information could be spread all over 
the colony, and, if the facts could be obtained, farmers would doubtless be in a 
better position to be able to regulate their operations. With regard to the 
marketing of produce, many cf them doubtless recollected the Farmers’ Co- 
operative Company that was started in Brisbane some years ago. To his 
sorrow, he had been a shareholder of that company, ard, with regard to its 
final results, he might say that, although the company was formed for the 
benefit of producers, the directors found that the shareholders, instead of 
AALS their produce to their own company for disposal, sent it elsewhere 
or sale. 
Mr. P. Hacenpacu (Warwick) stated that with regard to the clerks of 
divisional boards collecting statistical information for the benefit of farmers, 
doubtless the clerks would object to having additional work thrust upon them, 
Probably, however, if the Agricultural Department sent out circulars, all 
ready for filling in, and asked the boards to have these distributed among 
their ratepayers, the boards would co-operate, and the ratepayers would supply 
the desired information. A large number would at any rate most likely do so. 
If such a plan were adopted, Mr. Deacon’s idea could perhaps be carried into 
effect. He had also been a.shareholder in the Co-operative Farmers’ Com- 
pany mentioned by Mr. McLean, and, like him, had lost money in it. 
Co-operative societies do not always work successfully. He would like to see. 
railway freights reduced to reascnable rates, and then let every man sell when 
he wishes. It would be awkward for a man to have to sell when he did not 
desire to do so. A man should be free to sell when he likes, and that is only 
a reasonable desire. Reduction in railway freights was a most important 
question for farmers, however, and he hoped the Government would give early 
attention to it. 
Mr. E. Byruzway (Gympie) stated that in his district considerable 
difficulty had been found in getting the farmers to co-operate. Farmers were 
suspicious, and wanted to know what axes the promoters of co-operative 
companies had to grind. The Government had probably done all they could 
in the matter. There was the butter factory system, and in Gympie they had 
tried to get the farmers to start a factory on the co-operative principle, but 
the farmers appeared to want educating on the subject. A point in the 
marketing of produce that was worthy of more attention than was at present 
paid to it was what might be called the “ shopping” of it, or the presenting of 
it in a merchantable condition. It should be got up and branded properly, 
and generally have a business-like appearance. The trussing of hay in an 
attractive style was an instance in point. ‘They all knew things well ‘‘ shopped” 
were half sold, and that was an idea that might well be impressed on all 
farmers. It was one that the pastoralists of the colony understood perfectly, 
as was shown by the well and neatly trussed bales of wool that came down to 
port. It had to be confessed, on the other hand, that Queensland hay was 
not always marketed in a manner most likely to attract buyers, and more care 
expended in this direction would doubtless be well repaid. 
Mr. T. E. Covrson (Rosewood) considered that the establishment of 
markets which would bring both consumer and producer into direct contact 
with each other was essential, and he thought the Government would do well 
to reserve in all large towns land for such markets. He sincerely trusted the 
present Conference would assist in the bringing about of a better system of 
marketing and distribution of products in the colony. As an instance of the 
unsatisfactory nature of the present system of distribution, he instanced the 
case of a friend who, on offering some chaff in Brisbane for sale, was quoted 
from twelve different merchants an almost similar number of prices for the 
consignment, ranging from £3 10s. to £5 5s. per ton, at which latter price, of 
course, he disposed of the chaff. This showed the necessity for farmers 
educating themselves in the matter of knowledge of the real value of the 
products they had for sale. 
