INDUSTRIAL CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16259, 9 July 1918, Page 2

INDUSTRIAL CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY

RALLY OF MEMBERS

<V "rally social-' in connexion with j tho Canterbury Industrial Co-operatic o Society, "Ltd.. was held in the social room of tho Trades Hall, Gloucester street, on Saturday evening. The room was full to overflowing, _ difficulty being experienced to x find seating accommodation. The programme "consisted Oi speeches interspersed with vocal and instrumental items. The oresidont of the board of management, Mr M. Hitchen, who occupied the chair, outlined the work of the.comniitteos entrusted with tho preliminary task of founding the Association. ±1® referred to the co-operative movement as a practical and effective means oi copintr with the cost of living problem. As an*instance of what we migiit aspire to here, ho gave a short sketch of tho remarkable, growth and utility of_the Co-operative Society of Halifax, England. This society had now over 3D branches established. Mr H. D. Acland, who is keenly interested in the question of co-operation, spoke of the necessity of such a movement as a means ot coping with the new conditions that wore arising, and pointed out that if the present attempt to form an industrial 00-operative society were allowed to fail, the task would assuredly have to be undertaken later on. To deal effectively with trade combines, it was necessary that the people should establish trusts or their own, and pointed out that a combino owned and controlled by a few viduals and with a capital of a million pounds, could never compete successfully with one having the same capital but owned by a million people, each contributing £1. He quoted David Harum's advico that "if you want to counter the other fellow's move, vou must first find out what the other fellow is doing, and do it fust." Mr H. Bruce referred to the moralising influence which the co-operative movement was capable of exercising in trade by eliminating the worst features of competition, and dwelt on the souldestroying effect of effort spent entirely on money-making. He pointed out that generally when a man had succeeded in getting rich, he had, in the process, starved his faculties for enjoying life. Ho paid a tribute to tho good work done by tho Woikcrs' Educational Association in bringing the importanco of the movement into prominence. Mr A. W. Jamieson apologised for tho absence of Mr E v W. Kelpli, who, ho said, was perhaps tho nmst enthusiastic co-operator in the Dominion, and wished the Canterbury Industrial Co-operative Society every success. Mr .Jamieson pointed out that many difficulties would ho doubt bo encountered by the Society, just as had older ones in the early stages of thoir existence. These difficulties, ho assured the meeting, would be successfully overcome if the members stood loyally* by the Society. He concluded by wishing the Society a successful career.

Mr J. B. Strutliers, who lias accepted the position of manager, in an earnest speeah pointed out' the possibilities of the co-operative movement as a means of placing economic power in the hands of the masses, and cited instances -which had come tinder his own observation in Scotland, where large numbers had been enabled to purchase their own homes and become otherwise independent bymeans of co-operative societies. He concluded with a strong appeal to the members to support the management in the strenuous work that lay ahead. Mr Manning, who is to have charge of the grocery department, in the course of a short speech, referred to the possibilities which the movement offered for social and economic reform.

A resolution was unanimously passed endorsing the work of the management committee, and thanking them for their services. ',

A number of new members were enrolled during the evening, one of whom signified his enthusiasm by giving a motor lorry for the use of the Society, the audience showing its appreciation of the gift by rising and singing, "For he's a jolly good fellow." On the motion of Mrs Christie, seconded by Mrs Ockenden, it was decided to form a Ladies' Guild to further the movement.

Votes of thanks to Mr Bruce, who had generously provided refreshments, and to the ladies who had assisted in making the evening a success, were passed.