CO-OPERATION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 81, 4 March 1938, Page 11

CO-OPERATION

MOVEMENT IN ENGLAND. ITS LIFE AND TRIALS. Outlining the growth of the co-opera-tive movement in Great Britain, which has developed in less than 100 years from small beginnings to tremendous dimensions. Airs E. Barton, J.P., last evening, gave an interesting address in the Trades Hall. After sketching the growth of the movement. Airs Barton touched on possible developments when co-operative societies and privately owned “big business” came into greater conflict. Last year, Airs Barton retired from the position of general secretary of the English Co-operative Women’s Guild, a position she held with distinction for many years, during which time the membership and influence of the guild grew rapidly. To-day over 81,000 women are united in this organisation. Airs Barton was one of the first women in England to be appointed a Justice of the Peace, she has been a member of the Sheffield Town Council and has fought three Parliamentary elections. In addition, she has spoken from the 8.8. C. stations and at present represents the Co-operative Guild on the English Government’s Committee on Nutrition. In introducing the speaker, the chairwoman (Mrs E. Neiderer) outlined the activities of the co-operative movement in New Zealand, in trading. education, social activities, and health schemes. Airs Neiderer said the movement was fortunate, at this stage of development in enjoying Airs Barton’s visit. We lived and progressed by change, said Mrs Barton at the opening ol the address. Very great changes were now occurring, hut so close to us were they that wo did not realise them. There was a time, however, the period of introduction of machinery in the weaving industry, when the change had been very mucii realised. AVliile people had then thought such developments a curse, actually they were a blessing, as we could see now. The materials produced in the home were so good that they were well cared for and were even handed down from mother to daughter in some cases. Now, instead of possibly, having Jess than one good new dress in more than a year a woman could enjoy a greater number. In addition, a greater range of colour was available. There had been changes in fashions in. home furnishing, in women’s dress, in communication, and in transportation. All these were to he seen in our own domestic life, and gave us an indication of the kind of world we lived in. Yet. in spite of all his cleverness and genius in production, Afan had not. yetsolved the problem . oil distribution. One had only to think of the miners, the shipbuilders, those in the distressed Atorkshire areas, to realise that. We required to have a tremendous change in business if all were to enjoy what we produced. Those who engaged in the co-operative movement believed that they had tho solution. However, the competitive method of business would be one of the last orders to disappear. About 100 years ago there had been brought into being the Rochdale cooperative movement. It was a great tribute that tho movement had gone on steadily, through all changes, without a setback. Twenty-eight men and women bad started the movement, at a time when the family businesses had still existed. Competition had led to combines, further competition to' trusts, and then to mergers. Throughout all the changes the cooperative movement had grown. Boycotts had been experienced in the wholesale markets; then had come intimidation. Great - difficulties had been experienced in the World A\ nr, and after that had followed . the slump when the co-operative societies had been extremely effected by the lasck of purchasing power of the artisan class. In England to-day the stores of some of the co-operative societies were larger than the biggest business houses in Palmerston North. The movement was one of uplift, where there was a co-operative society there was given a sense of security. In addition, a certain amount of money was put aside for educational purposes and the movement could now say. “If you have a group wanting instruction on any subject whatever, we will find a teacher.” IN THE DOAIINION. In New Zealand, said Mrs Barton, the movement was starting in good times, when there was also known the success that had been attained in England. There, the movement was the largest buyer of tea, tho largest buyer of sugar, one of the three largest millers, and one of the largest single businesses in the whole country. In New Zealand the Government was favourable to industry and trade being run for the benefit of the people as a whole. In business we could not go on as we had been doing. It was for us to decide whether it was best for certain business to be in the hands of “big business” or in the hands of the people themselves. Big business was ready to accept legislation only when it was favourable. Big business was using the English Parliament in everv way possible, vet on the other hand, opposed to that, tho co-operative movement was sending its roots deeper. To-dav the movement had to be consulted in regard to trade, and now it was entering banking. It appeared that there was a clash coming between “big business” (backed by Parliament) and the co-operative movement. There was even a Bill, known as the Melchett Bill, which set out that no new shops could be opened in defined areas without departmental uermission. That would directly affect the co-operative movement, but the speaker was not afraid of the outcome. Gradually, the various societies in New Zealand were growing larger and thus closer together, proceeded the speaker. The great strength of the movement was being shown in the latest development the growth of an international trading scheme with headquarters in London. The speaker touched on the destruction of food in order to maintain the price and said that those believing in the co-operative movement believed that they could solve all that, and that their ethics and principles were good right from the beginning. , , , Slipper was served liy a band ot Indies at the close of the address, Mrs Barton answering a number of questions. Votes of thanks were accorded Mrs Barton, the ladies in charge of the supper, and the chairwoman.