MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1945, Page 5

MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

THE CO-OPERATIVE STORE MOVES FORWARD;

It is now slightly over two months since a Co-operative Store was first mooted for the district, and during., that period much has been done by the Provisional Committee to bring the project to a successful conclusion. Cobden, Blaketown, and a part of Greymouth have been canvassed for prospective members, the response has been excellent, and already more than 500 co-operators have signified their intention of “conducting their own business,” for their own benefit. Whilst the canvass has taken considerably more time than was at' first thought necessary, it must be borne I in mind that many who were really co-operators at heart only needed the principles of co-operation explain- . ed to them, to awaken them to the fact that each one, having the same voting power, irrespective of the amount of his or her monetary interest in the society-, is an equal owner . with all the other members, and is ; therefore minding his or her own business. All this took ■ time, and whilst progress might have seemed ' slow, the committee feel that it has been worthwhile. All the explanations that - have been made have become as it were, the foundations on which the society’s future activities have been built. No stone has been left unturned in the exploration of ■_ avenues for the purchasing of suit- .. able premises, and, although' difficulties were met in this respect, they have all been overcome; and, at a general meeting, which is to take place in the Lyceum Hall to-morrow (Sunday) at 2 p.m„ the committee . will place certain recommendations before members. If these are 1 accept- - able (and undoubtedly they will be) then it will be only a very short time before the store opens its doors for business. Satisfactory arrangements are well in hand'for a continual supply of consumer goods, and all indications point to a bright future for the . Society. The Provisional Committee, ' after presenting their report on Sunday, will have completed the tasks allocated to them, and the committee will then, cease to function . bers will, therefore, elect to-morrow, their new committee. For the bene- -• fit of all, it should again be pointed out that every member is entitled to seek a position as a member of the • committee. Sharing in profits demands participation in the work of the society, and the true co-operator, the man who minds his own business, ; will not shrink from the responsibility of serving on the committee, if he feels that he is fitted to hold such a position. Undoubtedly difficulties will arise in' the future. (It must be borne in mind that all co-operative societies met and overcame these , same difficulties in their early his- '. tory.) If the elected copnmittee are >■ given the confidence and loyalty of members, then they too . will overcome all 'these difficulties. Nothing, indeed can be clearer than the fact . that, if the working classes firmly and squarely rely upon each other, the Co-operative cause must grow '■ and must prosper. In concluding ;■ those who are members and those ■; who will become members, are asked to remember that they are all inter- ■ ested in the success of the society, and that not merely in its economic, but. in its social aspect. Their pros- j perity will not only give the power of making the most of their -means, but ) will materially assist ,in increasing ■ the comfort of thmr families and their homes. ~ i