THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1881.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1403, 30 June 1881, Page 2

THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 1881.

Co-operation, strictly apart from ' sdcialism, communism or religious ideal theories of any kind, is one of the mightiest levers for the raising of hopeless grinding toil into a pleasure, and at the same time educating and elevating the moral tone 'of ,the lower orders of men, who become degraded for want of the genius or the good fortune, or the self-confide.nee to raise them above the lowest level. Strictly speaking,, co-oper-ation is civilized man's only safeguard against degeneration back to brutality, And a recluse individual or nation, without healthy, daily and hourly contact with his fellow men, soon loses his happiness and his power of holding his position, and degenerates. Communism, however, that is to say equality of fortune, or fraternal working for . the common good, except in small bodies of men, inspired equally for ' a time by some dominant oassion or enthusiasm, religipus or otherwise, is a moral impossibility, that, , whenever tried, has'efided'|n miserable failure and anarchy, with .the consequent triumph of vice and brute force, , The earliest commu-; nistic states -of society , .befora _ the j 'Christian era, such as that of the} Spartans, were really only the sharing by a privileged few of the pro-

ceed&'oi the tsWr%f slaves. Al^ the work was 'done by slaves ; air the toil and the misery were their portion, and of them and theirportion we hear nothing. Thepom|hunigtictheory, at all events as those poor wretches were concerned, was an utter mockery, and, as without 'them 1 and their labour it would not have been possible, we way conclude that the earlier examples of commjunism were only delusions and hypocritical swindles, quite as forcible and disgusting as the guillotine and sanr cullottes specimens in Paris, Christianity may preach fraternity with one side of its mouth, and early Christian communities oi very limited extent, and mostly composed of the very poor, the halt, the maimed, the blind and the persecuted, all under the influence of strong iufatuat^on, and expecting daily and hourly the return of the Messiah, may have practiced communism for a time, but as the Ohurch began to have sway and the magnates to, gather, the fruits of power, it subsided and, merged into the usual and inevitable divisions of all creation, of high and low, successful and unsuccessful, strong and weak, mentally or physically, and the survival of the fittest. The law of life is the maintenance of life by death, nothing can live but by the sacrifice of life in some other form, and man even to the highest Christian, can and must be only a beast of prey, to whom communism if truly carried out, without any solemn lies, would be an absolute impossibility. If every morning there were an equal division in any body of men, of their daily gains, there would be rich and poor again before night, with leaders and obsequious followers. The more education clears away the fogs of ignorance and superstition from the true comprehension of great ,quea-' tions, the more it becomes apparent that philanthropy may teach the more successful to turn round and help on their less gifted brethren, and co-operation may provide ail engine on which the slow may overtake the more brilliant leaders, and a greater humaniser than even Christianity itself may be rising clothed in the humble garb of co-operation, but with equal certainty it becomes ■ evident that community is only an illusion, a cloak -under which the lazy and the vicious and the incom- | petent may prey upon the virtuous the energetic, and the industrious members of society, and thatit could only bring social death in its train. Co-operation for specified objects, on the other hand, though it will never do away with the differenca of grades can raise the lower to- a level incomparably higher than they could attain by single efforts. Co-opera-tion, or the combination 'among working men themselves to establish a business or an undertaking of any kind wherein they will be their own employers and the reapers of any profit made, is, under certain circumstances and under prudent and intelligent control, a rational and workable theory, ' and admits of the proper application of the illimitable varieties of intellect and aptitude found among men. ' In the early daps of the present century co-operation with many other reforms was looked upon as revolutionary, wild,' and subversive of order ; it was misunderstood by the public and loudly j disparaged by all sorts of enemies, one clergyman actually refusing to bury cooperators, but it is now better appreciated. An eminent writer on the subject observes that " partnership and not patronage is the one thing needful to establish a healthy and peaceable as well as profitable co-operation between masters and men." Instances of the cothplete and brilliant success in working the principle of co-operation since the beginning of the century can now be triumphantly adduced, and all over the world it is becoming yearly more widely diffused and depended upon as a guide and a safe friend. One of the first attempts to work the principle fairly was that of a Suffolk landowner some forty year 3 ago, when a small farm of his 15ecoming vacant he called together twenty labourers and offered to lend them capital without interest for purposes of co-operative farming under his own direction. They agreed, and in ten years repaid the loan. On another farm of 150 acres, let on the same terras by the! same owner, the labourers in 1862, had nearly repaid the capital, and were all living in '.prosperous circumstances. The establishment of, co-operative stores a.t Ifachdale is the most striking instance perhaps, to be met with of the success of the principle. It was, in the first place, simply a scheme of shopkeeping for the working people where no credit; was given or "received ; where pure articles of just measure were sold at market prices, and the profits accumulated for the purchasers. The original, capital of the. society was collected by means of weekly twopenny subscriptions of a small body of simple working men. With the sum of .£2B s6 collected, a small store ,wp,s' opened in 1844. ..-The business grew ■ rapidly, and enabled the co-operators to invest largely in a com mill in 1855. ', In 1857 the society had its seven departments, of grocery, drapery, butchering, shoemaking, clogging, tailoring, and wholesale trading, t aiid has .since then expanded into branch stores in every part of the country- ■ The Bochdale store, which ( commenced with a sn\alj sjtock^pi; good* valued, at £17, hatl iv'" t 1879 been transformed into one of the most 'exten-<

,sive warehousesiri the country, with its newsroom rivalling that of a London Club, and an extensive library, its science classes with an educWonal fiind 'Jet AJpart frbft^he profieeds o£ the business,; and' in that year the profits of the different undertakings amounted to £50,668. There are mariy^tner- examples of the' successful working of the' co-operative principle to be met with, some of them as remarkable as that we have supplied, merely starting from the small efforts of humble men to " betier themselves," and 1 without considering the wonderful success of "limited liability," on.ly another form of co-operation, but amongst a different class of men, ; and without examining the wonderful spread of the principle I through France and Germany, or quoting the immense results anticipated by one great ! writer from the working of co-opera-tion. Our limits have only permitted us to show enough to prove .the importance of the principle for the improvement of the working classes, and the distribution of the profits of their work among themselves. Of ihe moral advantages of the movement, such as the diffusion of education, the inducement of frugality, sobriety, honesty, and j independence, we say nothing, as we have merely skimmed the surface to endeavor to show the extent to which co-operation as a distinctly business principle, and altogether apart from any illusory social or I religious problems, has been developed'in England, and to indicate some of the advantages that have been derived fr,om it by the classes who now begin to know their right to a share in all such advantages, and will no longer be denied their right, though, like good men and true, they will not upset order, but maintain order for the preservation of their own honest gains. If the holders of small blocks of land on the deferred payment system in , the districts about th.3 Waikato, for instance, could find l anything among these remarks, and the instances ©f the Successful working of co-operation, to induce them to give it a trial, we believe it would be to their own great advantage in many ways. A combination of six or even three men could do the work of a certain number of acres far more easily and pi'ofitably than each one individually could effect, and by buying their stores at wholesale prices they would save again. Envy, detraction, and unkind feelings, so prevalent, unfortunately, in small 'settlements, and attributable in some measure to • mistrust of oneself and one another, and disappointment would give way like a dirty fog before the pleasant sunshine of cheerful and honest partnership. Of course such schemes require careful arrangement' and strict observance of the regulations made, and faithful performance of his share by everyone, and co-opera tion cannot fail to be a blessing to small farmers as well as others, and one by which the otherwise dreary question of small settlements may be very satisfactorily solved, almost as brightly, perhaps, as • the original promoters of the scheme somewhat sanguinely anticipated. When each man can by any means be taught to consider, his neighbor's interest his own, the true fraternity of the early Christians will have beeri restored, but nobbing but universal co-operation will work the oracle, let all the philosophers of the human race from the beginning of time preach what they like. 1

A leading article is unavoidably held over.

In the Etouse, on Tuesday, replying to Major Harris,' the Premier said that it was stated last Bession that if the reductions were given effect to, the advances promised employes on the Auckland and Drury railway, also to the telegraphists would not be paid, and the Government did not intend paying them.

Mr Elliott is the successful tenderer for the alterations required at the Hamilton Flour Mill t the price freing £126 ; contract to be completed in two months from date.

A social evening in connection with the Good Templars' Lodge, Hamilton East, will" take place to-morrow evening. Addresses will be delivered on the subject of temperance, the entertainment to conclude with a dance.

We understand that the conductorship of the new Cambridge Musical Union has been offered to Mr J. A. Beale, who has declined the proffered office on the ground of not having the necessary time at his disposal for working the society up to a thorough state of effit ciency.

I The Catholic Church Committee of Cambridge have determined to proceed with the erection of a suitable Presbytery for their clergyman :at Cambridge. The building will be erected on the site adjoining the Church, and tenders will be called for immediately.

At the annual meeting of the members of the Comus Dramatic Club, held on Tuesday evening, the accounts presented showed a small creclit balance. Certain alteration.B were made in, the rules and the following i office-bearers elected for the ensuing year : — Stage manager, Mr A. Swarbrick; secretary, Mr S. B. G. Smith ; treasurer, Mr W. Cumming; property man, Mr A, 0. Field.

A man named William Henry Wakeham was charged at the Cambridge Police Court yesterday with obtaining £7 from Mr B,obert Kirkwood by means of a valueless cheque. The same prisoner had been a feW days previously sentenced to a term of two months for a similar offence at -Qhiherm^tn-, and , eridence havingbeeln heard,' hd Was seiitericed to a further term of three months.

A Press Association;. telegram states that, the Government ,haye ||( rele'eiVe'd information' 'from the AgentGeneral, to the effect that he is • having- a fresh circular distributed amongst stock,pwners,i calling jthejriattentiop %v tho M«>,yis}Qns of, <t;h,ef QaslfL, Afti Amepdlnfeot Act, 1883, iri^se- especially to the necessity of obUining a deag certific*te before shipping stock to the colony."

A case of som© general/interest i as showing the liability of a person hiring i a buggy and horse from a livery stable ; keeper — Mofflin versus Grossmann, — will i be found in our report of yesterday's ft.M~€kratfpTow«ffiings. " »-^ # '* Mr James Kennedy is preparing ■ to take advantage of the new line of road, from Whatawhata to "Hamilton. When the road gets^ettec settled he intends running a trap daily from Sir' Kellows, Whatawhata Hotel, to the railway station for the conveyance of light goods and passengers. This matter should-be brought early to the notice of the chief postmaster, with a view to getting increased postal service. A small subsidy would assist materially in keeping this line of road open, and will confer a grrat boon to settlers in the distriot who have hitherto suffered so much from vant of communication.

We learn that it is the intention of Mr E. Hewitt, of Cambridge, to immortalise his memory by presenting the committee of , the Cambridge Anglican Church 'with a large and suitable bell to be placed in the belfry of the Church now in course of erection. This is an act of generosity on the part of the considerate donor, and one which the congregation will doubtless acknowledge in terms of thankful appreciation. Mr Hewitt has already been in communication with the well-known firm of Morrin and Co., Auckland, who have forwarded the usual business pamphlets for that gentleman's perusal.

At S, Andrew's, Cambridge, on Sunday week, the Rev. Mr Willis drew the attention of the congregation to the Treasurer's acknowledgment of sums received for the new Church Building Fund. He stated that a list of the donations or instalments of donations already received would be found in the Church porch, and that the lis.t would be added to from time to time, aa further sums were paid in. The vestry have selected the 31st of August (Wednesday) for the consecration of the new Church, but the services will be continued until over the following Sunday. On the Thursday evening after the consecration there will be a social gathering in the Public Hall.

Mr Hugh Fitzgerald, of Cambridge, is certainly a man of repute in his own particular ,line, and one of unquestionable orthodox business habits. This officer of many callings had occasion to visit the scene of a social tea-gathering on a recent occasion in the vicinity of Cambridge West, when, having thoroughly ingratiated himself into the proceedings by the total destruction of sundry buns, to his great satisfaction he belield a youth whose name figured on the wrong side of his ledger to the extent of 2s. The opportunity was not permitted to pass, so without more ado the mdefat'geable agent fastened on the unwary delinquent, who was compelled to fork out the claimed amount without further delay.

At the R.M. Court, Hamilton, yesterday, before H. W. Northcroft, Esq., R.M., and His Worship the Mayor, James Nolan, charged on remand with being of unsound mind, was discharged^ the police reporting that be was all right ; Daniel Gleeson, charged with being drunk and disorderly*,' was cautioned and discharged. Richard Hackett, a boy under 12, was charged with stealing apples from the shop window of Mr Bell, Hamilton East. After hearing the evidence the Bench cautioned the lad, and discharged him, '< making an order for the return of the stolen property to the owner. John O'Connell was brought up under the Vagrant 'Act charged with' using language calculated to provoke a breach of the peace, and the offence being proved was fined 20s and costs. The same defendant was* further charged with assaulting 6ne Hugh McNally by throwing a bobtle at his head. He was also convicted on this charge and fined 40s and costs. The money was -paid., The following civil cases were heard :•— Ellis v. Kay, claim £10 ss, judgment for £7 15s and costs ; I. Coates v. W. Henderson, claim £3 8s 3d, judgment for amount and costs ; same v. W. King, claim £13 0s 6d, judgment for £11 0s 6d and costs. Under the heading of " An Extraordinary Escape," the Bairn&dalc (Victoria) paper publishes a letter written by Mr George Barnes, of Ohristchurch to his father, in the course of wMch he says :— "My luck in not going* by the Tararua is something wonderful. 1 went from Ohriatchurch to go in her, and waited all day for her to sail until twenty minuted to six in the evening,, when one of my mates here a«ked me to pay his fare to Melbourne and he would come with me. I put my hand in my pocket, saying that I had but £6, thinking I had. £15, viz. , a £10 and a £5 note, but to my surprise I had paid away the £10 note for a £1 at the bank for the draft I was taking home with me, and as I had not paid for my passage, I intended coming to the bank, seeing after the cash, and going by. the next train to catch the steamer. But I was delayed so long that I miasqd her, lost the £10 note, and saved my life. That was the best spent money I ever parted with since I was born. Had she gone away anywhere near the time advertised I assuredly should haver been in her. Two of my mates said she would sink as soon as -I told them of the less of the money." The decision given in the case of Stewart v. MacFarlane at the Resident Magistrates' Court, Cambridge, some few* weeks ago, has been troubling the minda of the Auckland Board of Education of late, and that body have unanimously determined to trouble the Minister of Education on the same matter, Jt will be remembered that the defendant, MacFarlane having had some f imaginary grievance against Mr Stewart,- who is " the schoolmaster oi X the Cambridge <East School, which he was anxious to, redress in a truly exemplary manner resdrted to the objectionable, if nbt outrageous, expedient of proceeding to the sopool during school hours, and grossly insultfng the schoolmaster, and disturbing the usual quiet and discipline of the pupils, and winding up with a courteous invitation to "foight." The grievance complained of by MacFarlane arose out of Mr Stewart having dismissed his boy from school in pursuance of the Chairman of the Committee's order, MacFarlane having sworn in Court on the, preceding Court day, that his boy was over afeventee'n years of age, and consequently beyond the compulsory clauses of the Education Act* Having been assailed in the manner above referred to Mr Stewai't summoned the delinquent > MacFarlane to appear before the Resident Magistrate in answer to the charge preferred against him. , On the case being heard, the complainant produced copious evidence, in support' qf his charge, whioh showed conclusively that an insufferable wrong had been perpetrated, and 6ne, , if connived 'at nndA permitted to pass unpunished, would prove an inducement to others oi the MaoFattane class to redress thefr grievances in a like manner. The case being thus proved to the apparent satisfaction of ■ th©l presiding magistrate, he severely reprfcxanded -the defendant, cautioning him against a repetition of bis •conduct, and inflicting the comparatively heavy penalty ofUOs—half ihe maximum 'penalty f6r'the r "flrßt, i offeneeV'"!But in -givifig judgmenfagainst the defendant-^-'beingj. pstiecXlf 1 'jSdhvinced '6f ' the 'serious, character of the* dffen.ee — his Wfcrshin J£s« alloweH costs \oVihe complainant, giving; as his reason thai; he was of opinion Mr

Stewart had an amount of spleen or* -prejudice in singling out this particular boy for expulsion from the school. Unconvinced of the soundness of his Worship's judgment in this matter """Mr StSwSrGT who,' we 'beHeyOj was stimulated "to* seek further investigation by the other local teachers, wrote a somewhat — plain-spoken and concise letter to the Auckland Board of Education forilf tli'e facts of 'the case in 'a most comprehensive and lucid manner, and applying for a refund of the costs in which he had been mulcted through the 'decision of >the . presiding Magistrate. The Board held its usual monthly meeting on Friday last, and we see by a report of the proceedings in Saturday's Herald that Mr Stewart'^ application" for a refund was favorably entertained. -The- amount £2 10s it was decided should be refunded to him, the members being .unanimous in thinking tjiat tU&\ applicant had been unfairly dealt with id the'matter of being deprived of costs in his case against MacFarlane, and they« consequently determined that the Minister of Education should be comt muriicated with, and a copy of the teacher's letter with copies of the paper in which the report of the proceedings appeared be also forwarded to him.

A soiree, . concept, and dance will be held in the Paterangi School on Thursday, July 7th. The annual meeting of ratepayers of the Mangapiko Highway District is called for Saturday, July z6th, at i p.m., in the Paterangi School-hpuse. A branch of the Colonial Bank of New Zealand will be opened at Cambridge on or about July nth. The Prospectus of the Martha (No. 1) Goldmining and Quartz Crushing Company (Limited) Waihi, Upper Thames, appears in our advertising columns. Mr Kennedy Hill, Hamilton, is the Waikato broker. The celebrated thoroughbred entire Tattler stands the season at I'amahere, as announced by the Messrs Graham Brothers. The Manager of the "Waikato Land Association invites tenders till July q?h, for clearing 200 acres of ti-trec and fern at Hokunui. ! The annual meeting of ratepayers of the Tuhikaramea Highway District is called for baturday, July 16th, at 3 p.m. in theschoolhouse, Ngahinepouri. Mr Alfred Buckland, to close consignments, will' sell a large quantity of manure at the Haymarket, Auckland, on Saturday next. Tenders are invited for spouting and tank at Public Hall, Cambridge. Mr J. S. Buckland will sell a lot of useful horses at Camblidge on Saturday next, at half-past one o'clock. Mr Kennedy Hill will hold a sale of sundries at his Mart, Hamilton, next Saturday. Mr Kennedy Hill will sell at the Duke of Cambridge Hotel, Cambridge, on Wednesday, July 12th, at 2 p.m., certain valuable allotments m Duk6-strect, Cambridge. The monthly meeting of C Troop, Waikato Cavalry, will be held at the Hamilton Hotel at seven on Saturday evening next.