_— 
1 Jury, 1898.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 11 
and the Farmers’ Representative Union in the present Parliament by the Logan 
Farmers’ Association. It is gratifying to note the steady increase of farmers’ 
associations and agricultural societies and combinations in Queensland. They now 
number upwards of ninety or 100, and they can, and should, be the means of 
advancing the mutual welfare and benefit of its members by holding meetings 
fortnightly or monthly, and inducing others to join with them. Lhe main object and 
aim should be to become practical and useful. At such meetings the members should 
discuss the best means of advantageous purchase of implements, seeds, &c. They 
should table for their members the latest agricultural publications of an up-to-date 
nature (from which extracts could be read for general information) and a list of 
reliable agencies (with whom members have had dealings and could speak from 
experience as to prices obtained). Then they could form branches in other parts of 
each district, with duly appointed delegates to the head centre—whereby the require- 
ments of each part of the district could be made known and adyocated—and thus 
prove, by combined action, that far better results in the disposal of farmers’ products 
would be realised than by individual or single efforts. I have endeavoured to show 
an initial step towards securing the object for which this paper was prepared—namely, 
the better system of marketing and distribution of farmers’ products to the consumers. 
Thatis by combining and meeting together to discuss these questions. I know this means 
a new departure from the usual habits of our farming community, whose mode of life 
and occupation foster a feeling of isolation ; but this feeling is soon removed by friendly 
intercourse and sociability, and when the question of combined action and co-operation 
is explained (showing the farmer how, by the present form of marketings, he is entering 
into competition with his neighbour—the results tending to a direct loss to both— 
‘and that means low values, when by co-operating and combining for higher prices 
better results would accrue to each). If the farmers wish to obtain all the benetits of 
practical co-operation for marketing poae and to extend their influence they must 
have one head or central council. which should be representative of all -districts— 
elected by and representative of each association equaily ; but, owing to the 
geographical conditions of Queensland, it might be thought advisable to some to have 
a central council in each of the three divisions of the colony—say, North, Centre, and 
South—and yet working under the same co-operative rules and organisation. 
Anyway that is for after consideration once such extended co-operation takes place. 
Funds, and large funds, will be required by those who will be entrusted with the 
carrying out of the objects for which the combination has been formed in its manage- 
ment. ‘The mode of operations would have to be determined by its members and the 
ollicers forming the governing body, who would have direct control. In the raising 
of funds, I would favour the formation of a registered Joint Stock Company, with a — 
limited liability, such being formed by farmers among themselves. I would limit the 
number of shares to each member. With a central board of directors, as advocated, 
it would help to do away with the little prejudices that arise in small district com- 
binations; and the farmers by the greater union of all districts for marketing and 
other purposes—put in the charge and guidance of men of their own selection —would 
rest assured that the aims and wants of each association or district would be fairly 
dealt with. Tet us now proceed to consider more in detail what co-operation for the 
control of markets and. better distribution of products means. Co-operation is of two 
kinds—namely, either that of the buyers or consumers, or that of the sellers or 
producers. We are told that true co-operation unites both in a community. It may 
appear like a conflicting statement that a co-operation of buyers and sellers can be 
brought together to agree, seeing that their interests are directly opposite—the sellers 
desiring to get the highest monetary value, whilst the buyers desire to get cheaply. The 
true principle of co-operation to control the markets consists in the combination of many 
to secure a benefit to all, and no matter how the farmers and producers of one district 
may combine and hold out for fair prices—it may be of maize, wheat, or fruits, &¢.— 
if others in the adjoining districts using the same open market will not combine with 
them, they will have to be met by com;etition. It would be no use in such circum- 
stances holding out for fair prices that could—and might—be agreed upon by the 
union of all districts were they combined together for that purpose. But now with 
competition comes in that bad feature of the present system which we have to contend 
with—namely, the ring of wholesale dealers or middlemen. Under the system of 
auction sales there are rings of buyers who make it a matier of arrangement not to - 
bid beyond a certain price. The only way to meet this difficulty is a direct appeal to 
the consumer to join and help you. With the capital you have raised by forming the 
joint stock company previously referred to (formed by shares being taken up by the 
members of each district association, the monthly payment of which should be made 
as light as possible), the co-operated farmers: could establish stores for supplying the 
wants of its members in each district, also depdts where the produce could be col- 
lected and either sent away or distributed in other parts of the colony where required. 
