ENGLISH CO-OPERATOR,S AND THE NEW ZEALAND MEAT TRADE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10419, 23 July 1895, Page 4

ENGLISH CO-OPERATOR,S AND THE NEW ZEALAND MEAT TRADE.

TO THE BDITOK,

Sin,—ln your- issue of: Saturday, the 13th inst., appeared a letter, signed " Clinton," containing suggestions as to the disposal of the surplus of our. meat:by bringing it, by some means Of other,; withiu the react of those la>-ge centres of co-opgraiiye couaniners in the north of England chiefly known as the manufacturing districts, aud of which Manchester may justly be called the very heart and head.' The wife is—with the very best intentions, no doubS—much too sanguine and- optimfstical as, to the; result oh the liaea suggested: evidently through a'miscorieepcion of the con^ stitutiou and working of those societies.: His .figures I do not intend to analyse or criticise. They are good enough for my purpose, especially as I know that the number of those societies is very large, their wealth, their stability, their management unexcelled by any private establishments, whilst they embrace a constituency of more thau one-fourth of the whole population or.' Great Britain.

But your correspondent's letter is misleading. He states thit Manchester, with wholesale branches in Glasgow, Bristol, Newcastle, aud London, with their 10,000 retail stores scattered throughout England arid Scotland, could consume so aud so, and evidestly thinks' that we have but to nhip to Manchester direct instead of to London, get hold of the Manchester society, and tho thing is done. Nothing tan be more illusory. As a matter of fact, every town and vitiage co-operative society, in England, Scotland, and Wales is a distinct; and independent corporation, with its own local directorates, who are very conservative and tentative of their, own management and control; and Manchester has no more influence over. them than Popotunoa has over Ruapebu. In the larger tovrns a society often has -accommodation stores in the suburbs for the cbnvenieuce of members. These are subjjet to their parent "society, but no others. I speak tbis with emphasis end withont feat of contradiction. I have when in England had much to do with these societies. I have been a member and assisted at the foundation of several. lam acquainted with their working and management from the beginning of them in Rochdale. I was there only two years ago, spent six months amongst tbem, and sueh"aß they were in the beginning they are now, and willba—that is, unaffiliited with each other, free from control, aud each local body as free to purcbaae what they have a mind to, and ta get it where they can, as much to their advantage as possible. So much for the Manchester Co-operaiive Society and its branches

Now, however, when Manchester is directly accessible by sei, it would be a nioat deßirable objecl: to establish an outlet for our produce there. The best way, or how it can best ba done, is tha question.

It is a matter to which I have given much thought, and I feel certain that steadier and mare remunerative prices could be obtained in the north than in London, and if established under judicious lines would be free from those " rings," " corners," " bears," and other iniquitous factions which devour the profits of the shipper. Still there ara great difficulties to contend with.

London is tie wool market of the world. It would cot do to ship Wool to Manchester; and I have great doubts as to grain,. but meat of all kinds, butter and chetsp, rabbits (canned or frozen), poultry, and such like would find a far better market than London.

In consideration of your space I have gone, perhftj;s, too far at present. If your correspondent " Clinton " lives there I am at no great distance, aad should be most happy to discuss the matter with him orally or privately by letter, and all the experience aud knowledga I possess regarding the constitution and working of co-operative societies in Englaud I would gladly iroparb to him, and might also suggest soms practicable scheme of cutlet for our commodities should he be pleased to communicate with me. With this view I enclose my card, thanking you, Sir.—l am, &c, Ju!J' 19- Anglo-Saxon.