{ Man., 1900. QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 169 
t awakens less jealousy, for a large company of small capitalists works 
ee as regards the customers) upon just the same principles as a 
aa company of large capitalists. My immediate object in this article is 
oA urther bring under the notice of our farmers and producers the urgent 
nt essity of combining together to establish co-operative associations and 
wretles where such are not as yet established, and to induce those older bodies 
0 are established to shake off the lethargy into which they seem to have 
Men, placing them apparently out of touch with the farmers of their respective 
tticts. Just now, when the formation of new councils and committees takes 
ce for the ensuing year, is the time for those taking an interest in our 
ere producers to endeayour to reorganise such institutions on more 
sae and useful lines. Don’t let an annual ‘show’ be your one great aim and 
Isideration, but rather let the agricultural advancement of your district be 
ie first and primary object. Let your members be called together, say, not 
§ than once a month to discuss the various questions of passing moment. 
* papers be read and discussed by members, and their various experiences as 
as Cultivation, cropping, marketing, &c., be exchanged. Ask your respective 
. Ctaries to be up to date, and keep moving, finding out the latest quotations 
uCes either for sales or for repurchases. No difficulty will be found in 
each members to attend such meetings, as by taking a personal interest in 
ich other farmers create a better feeling, and sociability begins to exist in the 
ttict as troubles are got over and remedied. By combining together, the 
" cee Department can be better approached. Its experts in the various 
Byer oF, agriculture and production are placed at the services of the 
~Veral districts and associations by the Government on application. This 
the © first step towards co-operative effort, and entails no outlay beyond 
¥ Usual annual subscription to each existing society. As an instance ot the 
of fee of co-operative purchase of seed or other farm requisites, a saving 
| one i, y 10 per cent. has been obtained by a N orthern association, and also by 
ae the South of this colony, by placing of their orders to the best advantage. 
‘i 4 society or, say, a small community of our farmers meet together, each 
i prepared with a list of what he may require for this season. By co-operating, 
tillina er getting quotations for the certain quantities required or even by 
break for tenders (with samples to be submitted) for their requirements, a 
aly ins will be effected, not only in the cheaper rates on a large order, but 
cary) a better and more even quality being obtained. If the same system 1s 
the ed out in the sale of farm products, taking care that the bulk is equal to 
tefep le, better markets and better financial results must follow. I would 
| ape those desiring to organise or wishing to extend association work to 
toy read on that matter at the Conference held at Mackay last year; also 
it © discussions arising thereon that were published in the Agricultural 
Oba Vol. V., Part 2, pp. 139 to 145—from which much information may be 
“i Bat which would prove of great value in starting small co-operative 
®tes for the purpose of purchasing and distributing amongst members. 
alg before me now a tabulated list of the various co-operative and 
that butive bodies of the world, which I append as showing the rapid advances 
"te being made by our farmers and producers in other countries :— 
Country. No. Description and Objects. 
Eh sitida, Lobetie lt WPS R avg Ue ee a thy 
‘ign Ay res i 960 | Co-operative and distributive societies 
Prance CO: a4 by 57 | Land and building societies 
Dit ay ae ea 700 | Distributive societies or stores 
\ Ditte a th, e: 830 | Productive associations ‘ 
Yolian ab fey 7 abt) aah 80 | Co-operative cheese and butter factories 
Ditty) oe 100 | Distributive societies 
Seman Bee Bs" xe 60 | Creameries ; 
, Dithy ae it ...| 1,400 } Distributive societies 
Dit “in ae a 1,700 | Productive societies (mostly creameries) ; ‘ 
to 1,200 | Agricultural, for co-operative purchasing of seeds, im- 
plements, &c. 
eS ae 
