12 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. {1 Juny, 1898. 
The consumers must have every inducement held out to them to deal direct with the 
farmers’ association. ‘They will thus be assisting the producers and consumers to do 
away with that loss that goes into the pocket of the middleman, who, at the present 
time, gets the difference between the price realised by wholesale dealings by auction 
sales and the retail dealings of the shops and stores. Asa furtherinducement to the 
consumer, a bonus or percentage could be returned on ali purchases made at the 
association stores, which is the usual mode adopted by co-operative societies—with 
this difference (and which is an important one) that such markets, depdts, and stores 
would beestablixhed by the farmers or producers, and not, as hitherto, by the con- 
sumers. Such ascheme would enable the farmers of one district to benefit those of 
another by interchange of products produced in the one and consumed in 
the other. The markets would be better regulated if each district 
were so combined together under one head. ‘The estimated wants and 
requirements of each district could be ascertained, and the produce distributed 
accordingly. There would be no glut, as the market would be regulated according to 
requirements and more even prices would be maintained. The farmers, being able to 
deal direct with the consumer, would get a better price for their produce, and the 
consumer getting the best produce that could be put on the market—carefully put up 
and graded as to quality—would also receive a return or share in the profits made, 
from his dealings with the association. I might further enlarge on the benefits to 
be obfained from affiliation with the co-operative centres of other colonies and with 
those of England and the continent of Europe (who would take over our surplus 
production, easing our markets so that even prices would be upheld), and on the 
establishment of a wholesale farmers’ co-operative association. But I can rest here. 
I have pointed out a preliminary scheme that is not only practical by the combined 
action and co-operation of the various societies and associations under one centre to 
control the markets and give a better distribution of farmers’ products, but have 
shown the great benefits that would accrue to the consumer by dealing direct with the 
producer, whose interest it would be to supply a superior class of produce (each district 
vying with the other to obtain the best results). ‘fo further emphasise the usefulness 
and success of such institutions, I need only bring before your notice the last yearly 
report of the New Zealand Farmers’ Co-operative Association of Canterbury, Limited, 
which began operations and was registered in 1882 by seven shareholders holding 
141 shares. The balance-sheet for 1897—just fifieen years from its inauguration— 
states that there are 2,738 shareholders with 21,181 shares. ‘The subscribed capital 
is £105,905, and the paid-up capital £43,260, and there is a reserve fund of £17,097. 
The total profit for the year amounted to £11,692, and a dividend of 6 per cent. and a 
bonus of 4 per cent. on the called-up capital, a bonus of 4 per cent. on all purchases, 
and a similar bonus on salaries and wages earned were given. Surely such great 
results in a sister colony are worthy the attention of our producers and consumers, 
with such resources as we have at our command. ‘The assistance that is extended 
‘to agriculturists by the Government of this colony; the information that 
is being disseminated by the Agricultural Department, its officers, and experts 
in all branches; the practical teaching and training at cur schools and 
college; the formation of State nurseries and experimental farms in various 
portions of this colony (where is being demonstrated the numbér and variety of 
products of every description that can be successfully grown)—all this is tending to 
foster the interest of our farmers and producers. ‘hen by combining under an 
efficient organisation and assisting each other, through their associations, in the 
_ development of their respective districts, they will be placed beyond the combined 
Tings of wholesale dealers and middlemen, become independent of local storekeepers, 
and be induced to produce their best to supply their own retail stores. Once the 
thing is fairly started, and its benefits begin to be realised, it will be seen that 
combined action and close association is a practical means to an end for its own sake, 
and will bring a fairer share of wealth to the pockets of the producers and. workers 
in the agricultural interests of this colony. I may be thought to have been indulging 
in Utopian ideas; but the true solution of better systems of marketing and distribution 
of farmers’ products must, and will, be obtained by the united co-operation of the 
agricultural and producing interests of this colony. (Applause.) 
HOW THE GOVERNMENT CAN FURTHER ENCOURAGE 
. AGRICULTURE. 
[By W. Deacon, of ALLora.] 
_In addressing the associated chambers of commerce in England last year, Lord 
Salisbury said that he always found that the worst way to recommend himself to an 
agricultural audience was to tell them they were flourishing, and the surest way of 
