CORRESPONDECE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 2727, 20 June 1883, Page 3

CORRESPONDECE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.

TO THE EDITOB OF THE TIMABU HEEAID. Sib, — Haying noticed a letter of Mr Newton's m your columns, on tha evil of cooperation m Timaru, would you kindly find space for a few words m reply. Sir, I think you will agree with ma m saying Timaru h altogether depending on the producer, as it lives on the produce taken through the town. Now, how tho Co-opsrative Association can be said to bo opposed to town and country, iv supplying the producer with cheap seed and stores, when the town depends altogether on the produce he grows, I cannot understand. Mr Newton Bays the Aeßociation wishes every farmer to deal exclusively with it. I thiak all other firms have a similar wish for themielveß. Mr Newton Bays it deals m articles cheaper than other shops — [ imported articles I suppose, he means. Large merchants again, I believe, do the same. If they can get an artiole that sells at a proSt, they don't consider where it oomes from. And so I take it this must be the case, until tho producer increases the necessity sufficient to cause local production of the article. Mr Newton Boys he would prefer to givo a higher price for ttorea frjm shops. There I cannot agree with him, as I bold that the money would be of more service if used m producing, than m putting a protective duty on oneself, m keeping some one m Timaru for no other reason than to eat our produce. I look upon the Co-operative Association bs a large oppo. iition firm which, while doing a great deal of good, must do some few individuals harm. Now, Sir, take Mr Newton's extreme view of the case. If every one dealt with the Coinpony, and assuming that the same produce csmo through the town, there would be the same neceisity for town goods as at present, co that there would be about the same amount of labor. Hoping you will find epace for the above, I am, etc., Faehee.