CO-OP. VIEWPOINT.

Chronicle (Levin), 31 January 1947, Page 7

CO-OP. VIEWPOINT.

WELLINGTON, Jan. 30. "The consumers cooperative organisation in Gastern Hutt Vailey is referred to i>y tlre secretary of the New Zealand Retailers ' Eederation, Mr. Riley, as a monopoly. The real danger of a monopoly is the exploitation of the consumer and under the consumer cooperative system it is impossible for exploitation to take pJace," said the president of the Hutt Yalley Gonsumers' Cooperative Society, Mr. J. S. Berry, today. Mr. Berry pointed out that the consumers themselves had democratic control of the system and they would benefit from any prolits accruing from the inovement. He could see no reason why the secretary of the Retailers' Eederation should be extremely concerned unless it was that the retailers' wished lo maiutain an individual and collective monopoly through their federation. ' ' Tlie cooperative movement is thepeopie's movement and surely the people themselves have every right to decide this matter for themselves without unsolicited outside interf erence, " Mr. Berry said. "The cooperative movement is satisiied it could stand 011 its own feet. It is in line with the expressed wishes of the community and the policy being adopted will make possible the provision and maintendnce of social, educational and reereational services in the area. "