DUNEDIN INDUSTRIAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3488, 18 January 1921, Page 23

DUNEDIN INDUSTRIAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETY.

The first general meeting of shareholders oil the Dunedin Industrial Co-operative Society was held in the Choral Hall, Moray place, on Wednesday, the chairman being ' Mr A. Melville. There were nearly 100 members present, and the best of harmony prevailed throughout the meeting, members showing the true spirit of co-operation. The directors’ report was received. It showed that the society was really tho outcome of the Railway Cash Purchasing Asso- j ciation. The directors “started with nothing except instructions, and a desire to carry them out.” in the early stages small supplies only of Dunlop coal were received, and it was found difficult to make arrangements for delivery. "Customers were inconvenienced and disappointed, and the management sorely perplexed. The committee members advanced their own money free of interest, a coalyard and two houses, brick stable, etc*., in Grosvenor street were purchased, alterations costing over £250 were made, and offices secured, horses and carts, etc., purchased, and in course of time the business grew to the extent that it was found necessary to purchase a motor truck. As the business grew, difficulties were experienced in getting supplies, but ultimately Wairaki coal was obtained, and now the society is in the happy position of having a constant supply of that coal, while Dunlop coal will be obtainable in the near future. Besides coal, other lines of business have been touched, but are only yet in their infancy—viz., tea, produce, etc. —but the success of the business is assured. Although pleased with the position in which we stand to-day, the committee is not satisfied. The future will"Teveal bigger things if co-opera-tion means operating together. Only by the combined efforts of each and all will success be attained. Money is needed, and we trust that no future committee wil be hampered as the present one has been in this respect. Your provisional committee now takes the pleasure of handing to members an established business, a unique position in the co-operative history of New Zealand. In conclusion, we trust that the mistakes made will be good lessons, that the successes will not puff up, but with careful thought and clean business methods the work of the society will be carried on with the one thought, "Each for all, and all for each.” The report was adopted amid hearty applause. The Committee of Management was elected as follows: —Secretary, Mr W. Butcher; committee—Messrs Melville, Cleary, Abernethy, Saunders, Brooks, Penncuike, Peters, and M'Laren; scrutineers —Messrs Melville, Ward, Gore, Adams, and Fair- . bairn. Messrs Thomson and Routledge were elected auditors. After considerable discussion regarding the best methods of increasing the membership it was decided that an Organising Committee be set. uxi, and the following were elected, with power to add to their number: —Mesdames Bennet, Blackburn, and Sims, and Messrs Dunn, Gore, Thomson, and Ward. It was deckled to hold tho annual general meeting of shareholders on Wednesday, February 16. For the purposes of extending the business it was decided that the share money be payable to £5 per share instead of £2 as jiroviously arranged, the amount to be paid up by monthly payments of 5s each. The meeting closed by the chairman, oil behalf of the directors, thanking members for their presence and for their expression of confidence in tho work that had so far been done. After the shareholders’ meeting the committee met. Mr Andrew Melville was elected president, and Mr George Brooks treasurer of the Committee of Management, while Mrs E. Bennet was elected president of the Organising Committee.'