CO-OPERATIVE STORES.

Evening Star, Issue 6479, 21 December 1883, Page 4

CO-OPERATIVE STORES.

TO THE EDITOB. Sib, —It is now, I think, high time that some effectual steps should be taken to carry intosnccessful operation the idea so much proj mulgated of late of establishing in Dunedin a system of co-operative stores, as well as bakeries and butcheries. If the working men, large consumers, and hotel-keepers are In earnest, and are prepared to support such undertakings by dealing for ready money, there is nothing to prevent this or to hinder them providing themselves at cost price with bread, meat, groceries and indeed every article required by a household—of just weight and of the best quality. Those societies, I need hardly say, are thoroughly established at Home, and, in spite of interested opposition, have proved an inestimable blessing to thousands of households there. Why, therefore, should we stand idly by, consent to be robbed (1) by unjust weights and measures; (2) by inferior quality ; and (3) by having those of us who pay cash to pay a heavy percentage, in addition to legitimate profit, to make up for the credit-receiving and irregular or non-paying portion of the community ? That the last-named is a large one we all know. I? we do not, inquiry at any tradesman’s will speedily remove our ignorance. How can these benefits be ■secured, therefore, and wc be enabled to secure hill and perfect value, and an unadultercci article for our money ? It appears to me that the first step towards practical measures being adopted is to secure, the adhesion and promised support of those who desire to be so benefited, and this can be done by each one forwarding to the office of your paper—if you will kindly permit this—a single line giving name and address, With the probable amount of interest he is disposed to take in the concern. Their notes (which will be considered perfectly confidential) should be addressed “Corporation Stores.” They entail no pecuniary responsibility whatever, and are simply intended to enable a few friends to call a meeting, at which a responsible committee would bo named, o'nd other steps taken towards carrying inko successful operation what is required.

At present it is perhaps unnecessary to go much into detail. It may be stated, however, as a mere suggestion, that the Limited Liability Company to be established might have a subscribed capital of say LIO.OOO, in shares of LI each; that subscribers of say four shares, would be entitled to take part in the management of the Company by attending and voting at meetings, etc.; that shareholders only be entitled to the profits to be derived from the business, and that they be entitled to purchase at the reduced prices of the Company all goods supplied by them. It is very desirable, therefore, that the shares be held by as numerous a class of readymoney consumers as possible. The Company’s business, however, would by no means be confined to shareholders. Annual tickets can be issued to non-shareholders—-say at 4s, the bearer of which, on its production, would be entitled to deal with it on the same terms as shareholders. We know from experience of such matters at Homo, and by overtures already made here, that many traders would be only too glad to honor these tickets by reducing to che holders of them the prices of their goods by from 10 to 20 per cent, from ordinary selling pries. Tims, lor instance, if the management were disinclined to keep in stock such articles as boots and shoes, men’s and women’s wearing apparel, hats, musical instruments, furniture, stationary, coals, etc., all these might be procured direct from the respective establishments on their most advantageous terms. Briefly to recapitulate, then, let those favorable to the scheme at once forward, as directed, a note signifying their approval. These need not be opened except by a committee, whose names and position in society would give entire confidence; and their duty would bo thereafter to call a meeting and produce such overwhelming evidence as to the necessity for providing such a public want as would satisfy and convince the most sceptical, and further submit such wellconsidered details as to subsequent measures as would enable the proposed members to appoint a committee to carry them into operation without any unnecessary delay. Meantime, should anyone, before deciding as to the support he may give to the proposed scheme or to the amount of that support, desire further information on any point, the writer will have much pleasure in supplying this in confidence on receiving a note addressed “Co-operation—immediate.’’ No doubt some opposition will be given and may be expected. It is not likely that the present suppliers of our necessaries will stand by and see a probable end to their traffic without an effort. But nothing can stand in the way of its successful accomplishment if we are true to ourselves and desire to see so great and permanent a boon as a widely-connected and well-conducted co-operative association established in our midst.—l am, etc., A Large Consume}:. Dunedin, December 20. P.S.—I may add that several of the bestconducted and most profitable businesses in the town, with their stocks and goodwill, can_ be secured by the Company on most equitable and advantageous terms, but if we have our own interest at heart it seems unnecessary to treat with these. Plenty of customers of the right sort will be forthcoming without purchase or stipulations.