CO-OPERATIVE PRODUCTIVE SOCIETIES

Grey River Argus, 22 June 1939, Page 10

CO-OPERATIVE PRODUCTIVE SOCIETIES

In Great Britain the Productive Societies are a miscellaneous group of Co-operative organisations. Some of them are owned by groups of Retail ..Co-operative Societies and undertake a common function for the Societies in the group. For example theme are bakeries, printing works, soap works, bacon-curing factories, boot factories, linoleum factories and clothing and, furniture factories, etc. The ownership of these Productive ,which are distinct from the Co-operatiVe Wholesale Society, varies: some Societies are owned by the workers and the individual shareholders, some by retail Societies; and in some the workers, the shareholders and the retail societies combine to share the ownership and the control. While we are being urged to buy New Zealand-made Goods and while the Government is encouraging the production of goods in New Zealand, let us not lose sight of the fact that this is not all that is required for our happiness and prosperity. We need to have democratic control and social ownership of the production and distribution of these goods as well. A step in this direction is the establishment of Co-operative and Productive Societies. Co-operative Societies are already operating in New Zealanu and it is a sign of the times that Productive Societies ame also beginning to operate. Within the last year two Productive Societies, a box-suit factory and a factory for the production of artificial limbs and orthopaedic and surgical appliances, have become established in Wellington. ' ’

We have no particulars of the box-suit factory other than that it employs 15 workers and is owned and controlled by its workers and individual shareholders and is already a successful Productive Society. ’

The following explanation and details of the artificial limb factory will be of interest id our readers: It is-called The McKay Cooperative Orthopaedic Society, Limited, and is situated in Edwara Street, Wellington. Its' purpose is to provide, AT COST, artificial limbs, orthopaedic appliances, and also repairs and services to artificial limbs and orthopaedic and surgical appliances and instruments. Committee of Management: M. T. Ryan, President and Manager; R. G. Taylor, Limb Fitter; E. C. England, Appliance Maker; T. V. Anson, Dental Surgeon; F. A. Waterhouse, Company Manager. (The last two named being consumers’ representatives). A. W. Free, LL.B, is Secretary, and Rowley, Gill, Hobbs and Glen are Auditors. This Society is not in business to provide dividends for “passive” shareholders. It is an association in which craftsmen and those who need their skill are organised to meet their own requirements. Its methods have been tested in a trial period of six months and have proved so successful that the Society now invites the participation of artificial limb wearers, splint wearers, charitable organisations and surgeons in the benefits of its membership. The only condition for members is the taking up of one share of £5, payable, as to £1 5s in cash on application, and the balance at the rate of £1 5s per quarter, if called. In practice it is hoped that the balance will be self-liquidating. Membership gives the might to a share in the profits as follows: (1) Interest at 1 per cent, above Post Office Savings Bank rate (4 per cent, at the present time). (2) All profits after payment of this interest are divided into three parts. One part is placed to reserve, one is distributed as a bonus on the wages and salaries of employee shareholders, and the remaining share is divided for the benefit of those customers who are members, in proportion to their dealings with the Society. Members' dividend is used to pay up their shares, if not already fully paid up, and is then paid to them in casih. Non-members dividend is held for them for three years if they signify that they may desire to become members. Otherwise it lapses.