LABOUR ITEMS

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3625, 26 August 1901, Page 3

LABOUR ITEMS

A CO-OPERATIVE STORE.

A meeting of delegates from the various Labour Unions was held in the Oddfellows' Hall on Saturday night, Mr Corlett presiding over a very fair attendance of delegates. Mr Waddell was appointed secretary pro tem. The chairman said that it was resolved at the last meeting of the Shearers' Union to ask delegates to attend a meeting to consider the question of forming a workers' co-operative supply store in Timaru. He explained the usual course in connection with the institution of a store. The usual custom was that workers and sympathisers should- mutually band themselves together, contribute a small sum leach per week per

share, till a sufficient sum had been raised to start a shop. The Christchurch Society started when £IOO, made up by a 2s payment on shares, had been raised. He suggested that 6d per week on shares

\ would meet the case in Timaru. He believed that if a sufficient number of shareholders were guaranteed, the necessary money would be forthcoming at once. An offer had been made, though perhaps not too definitely. Mr Clausen objected to anyone except the workers raising the money. They should have a good public meeting and get the money that way. After some discussion, Mr J. Mahony advocated the setting up of a committee to go. into the question. If it was resolved to start a business, the banks would put forward the money on a business security. In reply to a question as to what benefit the workers would get when the co-opera- ' tive store sold at the ruling prices in the general stores, it was argued that fresh ' goods were supplied, and a. share of the. profits went to the shareholders. One delegate said that he could send to the co-operaive store in Christchurch for fresh goods, and save 3s in the £ by doing so. The rate of wages paid' in Timaru was lower, and the prices charged for goods was higher than in Christchurch. Another delegate said that Timaru prices were just as good as those in Dunedin. The only good the workers would get would be the bonus share of the profits. There were many lines that could be procured cheaper in Timaru than in Christchureh.

Mr Palmer proposed the following resolution—" That this meeting of delegates from the various labour organisations and sympathisers in Timaru affirm the principle of co-operation, and resolve that efforts be made to establish co-operative supply stores in this district, and that a committee be set up to gather all the necessary details and report to a public meeting to be held on some future date."

Mr Birrell seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously. The following committee was appointed : —Messrs Corlett, Claughton, Mason, Waddell, Johnston, Martin, Clausen, Cook, and Mahony.

It was resolved that the public meeting be held on Thursday week, September sth, to receive the committee's report. The chairman announced that Mr Dean, manager of the Waimate co-operative stores, would be present to give some information.

A vote of thanks to the ( chairman concluded the business. .