1 Ava., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL, 141 
But, on the other hand, societies that are formed principally of townspeople, 
whose main aim and objects are the holding of an tential got up more for the 
benefit of townspeople where they are held, by providing races and sports and (as 
pointed out in the report referred to) usurping the province of the turf club, confer 
small benefit, and are only secondary in importance to those of a more up-to-date 
nature, whose objects are the development of their respective districts, the securing of 
better markets, and a better class of produce. Such societies and associations are to be 
commended, their shows being an object lesson of progress that is worthy the considera- 
tion of the Agricultural Department in the matter of subsidy or monetary assistance. 
Ihave endeavoured to show that by organising our farmers into social commu- 
nities or societies there is every reasonable prospect of creating a better fecling 
between them, and a friendly meeting fagetee: doing away with the feeling of 
isolation, which the mode of life and conditions of our farmers practically forced upon 
them. I will endeavour now to show how the useful work of associations can be 
made, and is being made, in various parts of the world, a mighty factor in the 
increased prosperity of the agricultural classes. I will endeavour to show that, by 
the members of our associations extending their influence and work by taking up the 
economical side of our producers’ welfare, as well as the social side, t 1ey will be the 
means of elevating the position of our existing societies, by creating institutions that 
will be of a lasting benefit in our various centres. By co-operating together for 
extending association work for buying, selling, and disposing of our products, the 
greatest amount of direct benefit is to be obtained. Our farmers must not be content 
with simply producing—they must combine for a better means of distribution; and I 
am pleased to have to state that many of the societies are taking into earnest 
consideration the best ways and means of finding markets for the disposal of 
their members’ products, and for purchasing supplies not produced by them- 
selyes. These include implements, seeds, and the necessaries of life which ends 
can best be obtained by the farmers placing their capital in a bank for that 
purpose. And here it is that by adding their capital together, and by combining their 
orders for their requirements, they are enabled to deal more successfully and economi- 
cally for their wants at a minimum cost of trouble and expense to themselves. How 
to attain this end is the question of the day. Capital is required to enable those placed 
in charge of the management to carry out the schemes and desires of the co-operative 
body. It may be that a loan is required, or means for procuring farm implements, 
seed, &c., but capital must be found in the first place. And here I may state that I 
have no s mat with the cry of “State aid” in the matter: of providing cheap 
money. It is a well-known fact that State aid, or Government assistance financially, 
often does more harm than good by the assistance given. Funds so derived are often 
spent lavishly, and in a manner that no private individual would ever think of. They 
are spent without that keenness and careful supervision that an individual who was 
personally interested would exercise. The systems I favour are the co-operative 
systems of England and of the continent of Kurope, where the people’s co-operative 
banks for trading, raising and granting loans, and for other purposes, are so success- 
fully carried out. Every little centre there has its own deposit bank, its own stores 
to supply the requirements of its members. ; In nearly every case the bank is entirely 
managed by its members, the directors being honorary, and the management being 
carried out as economically as possible. Such institutions have been the means of 
assistance to thousands of farmers and others by the help of loans at low rates of interest 
which they would have been unable to obtain otherwise. In starting agricultural co- 
operative banks for trading and other purposes, including loans to farmers, I would favour 
the joint stock principle, limiting the number of shares to each individual with a 
limited liability to the extent of the number of shares taken up, the directors being 
elected by the farmers from amongst themselves; all officers except the manager 
being honorary. The shares could be paid up by easy monthly instalments until the 
amount of each share value was fully paid; every provision being made for the 
protection of its members. The objects of such agricultural bank being for specified 
purposes, chiefly, as I have said, to assist its members by loans at a low rate of interest 
for the following purposes :—First, for making improvements on farm holdings ; 
second, for the purchase of seed, implements, machinery, &c.; third, for loans to a 
district or to a branch of the association, whose members are interested in a specified 
product requiring aid for constructing and erecting expensive works, such as drainage 
and irrigation works, butter or bacon factories, flour or rice mills, jam factories 
or creameries, &e. 
The directors also would have the power to buy, sell, and dispose of all products 
for the members of the association, and return all profits, less reasonable expenses 
incurred, to the members and shareholders. Tow rates of interest could be fixed for 
borrowers (not exceeding 6 per cent.), and interest charged only on the amount that 
