Co-operative Societies

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 3, 19 January 1937, Page 6

Co-operative Societies

J. S.

HANNAH

(To the Editor) Sjr, — "Little Audrey' ' suggests that a direct investigation by the Government into the activitios of the Hastings Co-operative Bakery Society is warranted. May I, on behalf of the society," inform "Little Audrey" that ifc would welcqme a thorough investigation by the Government, and, furthermore, that its members strongly recommend that the findings of the investigation committee be made publio. Regarding his, or her, query as to tlio business ability of the committee members, following is the list of their names. They are all over the age of 21 years and are all well fcnown men in this town so any of your readers interested in this controversy can satisfy themselves on the question which is causing "Little Audrey" much concern. They are: J. Geenty (chairman), T. B..McQuire, T. Johnson, O. Henderson, T. O'Neill, O. Newrick, K. B. Schofield, J. S. Hannah, A. K. Johnson (secretary). "Little Audrey" can rest assured that the society will never have to pay the penalty of £500 for infringement of the law, as it has no intention of reducing its employees' wages or cutting the standard price of bread. As our socfety does not c'onsisf of shareholders, but dividends paid out on individual purchases jonly, the Stock Exchange will not be required to sell shares that do not exist. With regard to undesirable elements which the society wishes to exclude from its members, I do no.t think the committee had any particular person or persons in mind when this rule was included, unless by intelligent anticipation they had in mind Goldsmith's "Deserted Yillage" where tlie loud laughter spake the vacant mind. No doubt they considered that a laughing jackass with a vacant mind would be worse than useless sitting on a committee when important business had to be transaeted. — Yours etc..

Hastings, Jan. 17. 1937. (This correspondence is now closed. — E'd. H.B.H-Ti)