THE CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.—A SUGGESTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2128, 27 February 1886, Page 2

THE CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.—A SUGGESTION.

TO THK KDiroil. Sin, — We hoar of loss in our association's business during the past year, and this is attributed iv your quotation from the report to ba presented on the sth pi ox., partly to " keen competition." Now by all accounts even our leading storekeepers have not a much better tale to tell of their several businesses, wheicas the weaker are rapidly "going to the wall." Under such circumstances it would *eem to me to be well for all parties to consider the question of further co-operation. Let the leading storekeepers in each of our Waikato chief centres be invited to make an offer of their businesses ; and let the association enlaigc its capital and buy up the most eligible one in each. This would save to their joint corporation a large sum in salaries to servants and rent of premises, namely, the differe-ice between keepiug up three establishments and keeping up six. The enlargement of capital amongst the general shareholders rendered necessary for these purchases should not be \ery great, «ay one third of the whole sum lequired ; for it would be expedient to pay for tho businesses purchased munly in shares. At present my suggestion is in rather a ciude form. 1 havo not di-cuss^d it with any one, nor do I know how the loading storekeepers would teg.\rd it. I mu&t leive it to the practical bnsine-s men amongst the diipctors .and shareholders to /aecide whether it is wmth considering. — I am, Sir, yours faithfully, Wm. N. de L. Wiu.js. S. Andrew's, Cambridge, Februaiy 2oth, 1886.