MODERN CO-OPERATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20993, 2 October 1931, Page 12

MODERN CO-OPERATION.

Sir, —To those who, like myself, have for years been interested in the remarkable success of the co-operative movement in Denmark, the report in Tuesday's Herald from your London correspondent on this subject will have been read with especial interest. From what I can gather by reading, there seems to be no doubt that co-operation is a much more intensive and successful thing there than here. The Danes, it would appear, fully i realised long ago that the interests of the nation would best be served by a frank recognition that its main role was that of & primary producing export country, mainiy in pastoral products, dairying, and pig and poultry raising. The policy adopted seems to have benefited both primary producing and manufacturing industries, keeping production costs down in both fields and purchasing power up all round. It. is greatly to bo regretted that of several organised tours abroad by farmers none has been to arrange for a competent and thorough study of Danish co-operative life, including its educational system, particularly the adult education. Some say that conditions in Denmark are not such as would appeal to New Zealanders, though the statistics of production, wages, and so forth would seem to belie such assertions, but, however that may be, it is certain that, as your London correspondent describes it, the Danish system could be applied in a considerable measure to New Zealand with a high degree of success. What is needed is first-hand, fully competent, unbiassed and thorough inyestigation, with the findings clearly "■ and adequately recorded for our further study. It should not be beneath our dignity nor above our intelligence to endeavour to learn something from the ways of our most successful rival in our almost sold market, the United Kingdom. Matamata. T. E. McMillan.