A CO-OPERATIVE SETTLEMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2534, 6 October 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

A CO-OPERATIVE SETTLEMENT.

The Amana Community in lowa, including ;i population of about 2,000 is an interesting illustration of the success of cooperative effort among thrifty Germans. The settlement was begun in 18S5 and the colony now owns 26,000 acres of land, The land forms a single township and the people are grouped in seven villages. Each village is a social and industrial unit, awl has a definite area assigned to it for cultivation and pasturage. The goVMTnment of the colony's ulfairs, as a whole, is invested in a Board of thirteen Trustees; while eneh village hud its Board of Elders, varying in number from seven in the smallest to eighteen in the largest. The central institution in each village is the " store," which is a large general retail establishment carrying groceries, drugs, dry goods, clothing, hats and caps, hardware, etc. Its book-keeping is very elaborate, for, except in dealings with outsiders, the colonists do not ordinarily use money. Kverthing is done by a system of accounts which are kept at the "store." The blacksmith shop and the carpenter shop have accounts against the farm department which are duly recorded on the village books. Every family or adult has an account at the "store,'" certain credits being appointed to all members by the elders at the commencement of cacti year, which are drawn against by purchasers. Boardinghouses furnish meals to members in each village in groups of from forty to fifty each. HousC3 are assigned to families by the elders, who provide shelter for all. The community conducts a number of mills and manufacturing enterprises.