THE CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2134, 13 March 1886, Page 3

THE CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION.

rOTHK hDirOK. I Silt,— Now that the managers of the Cooperative Company have published their annual statement of account", (such as it id, for if anyone can make anything out of it, he must havo a better knowledge of accounts than I have, although the one fact it plain enough, v \i. that there is a loss of nearly a thousand pounds,) I say, now the result of the year's business is published, is it not time to tiy to find out the cause of the want of success. It is all very well, and very easy to say t hat the credit system is killing the Co-operative. Ido not admiie the credit s> stein, nnd the sooner it is ! curtailed the better, still it i-> not the only, ! nor yet the chief cau->e of failure. What has done more than anything else to injure j the concern it in my opinion a want of practical business ability in the management. There is too much theory, too many grand idea>, in fact too much gas. Would it not have been better to have tried to do well what was already in baud, instead of talking about impossible schemes of supplying the eitv of Auckland with cheap meat? We had a very interestiong and ablelectuie about affiliation with the great Co-opeiative Association of Great Britain and how vv c might by that means distribute our meat and butter through every town in England, and might buy our manures and seeds m tho cheapest market in the woi ld, while at the Bame time we were buying second-hand from the Auckland meichant*, and were idling our pioduce in exactly the same way, and at ju-t the »anie expense as if though any other agent. In order to maku a show before the public, or perhaps rather to make sober men thoroughly f o distrust the management, a dividend was declared at the end of the first half-year, and the few pounds in hand, instead of being husbanded and made really useful, were flittered away in a manner that could do no good to anyone. I wonder what it cost to emiputo and pay that div idend in extra cleucal assistance, and in neglect of ordinary business ? Then again, what is the cost for a year to the company toi advertising r I have scon great displayed advertisements in the papers that seemed to me more like the " draw s " of a cheap diapeiy establishment than the, announcements of a company of sober minded men who wanted to help one another to deal to the best advantage to themselves. 1 could easily go on, but will not trespass on your patience. The loss on the year's business will be well xepaid it it induces mom attention to details and nimo economy in the management. By all means let the indiscriminate credit system be done •way with, but let the company set an example itself, in the prompt rendering of accounts for produce consigned for sale. This is a matter constantly complained of by settlers doing business with the Auckland store, and may be an excuse for laxity on their part in the payment of accounts. — I am, Sir, yours obediently, A SIIAKEHOLDMt.

It will be scon in reference to our advertising columns that Messrs Hesketh, Aitken, Maclean, and Co., have leased the. Auckland City Market, \\ here they will in future hold regular Auction sales. Particulars will be found in the advertisement. Yes ! It is certainly true. Ask any of your friends who have purchased there. G.irlick and Cranwell have numerous unasked for and very favourable commendations from country customers on their excellent packing of Furniture, Crockery, and Glass, &c. Ladies -my fentlciucn about to furnish should remember that Garlick nnd C ran v. ell's is THB Cheap Furnishing Warehouse o Auckland. Furniture to suit all classes ; also Carpets, Flror Cloths and all House Necessaries. If yur new house N it^'l, timshiJ. m yo» are j r <vnj. r to are* ipar.-i<>_, v : *it •'? v! k m. Cranwell, <>je«5P-*!re»it *r.d Lorpe-«.tret t \i < b )iod. lut<3ii<li'iKpn.«-haj(Of»can _*»n»rat^l«,^L«"