The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1891.

Thames Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 6863, 23 April 1891, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1891.

A QT7EBTIO& of some importance, and one which is frequently asked nowadays, more particularly by working men, is how are existing wrongs: to be righted—how are the extremes of affluence and poverty to be blended together P Working men's efforts in this direction are at present centred in co-operation and trade unionism. It would be rery difficult, considering the practically small extent to which it is as yet recognised in these colonies, to forecast with any degree of certainty what part the former of these may play in the grand work of reform, but we thick that at no distant date the value and advantages of co-operation will be far more generally admitted than at the present day. But while we approve and support the principle,' let us be sure that the present tendency of co operation is not to lead us into the very evil against which we are now struggling—that is, consolidation of capital. Distributive co-operation cannot fail to be a blessing to mankind, but con solidation of capital can only lend intensity to the present evils. Trade Unionism as an agent of reform embodies within itself the whole principle of co-operation ; and when once rightly understood, when founded on truth, and guided by intelligence, it will be capable of reconstructing from the root upwards the entire fabric of society. As yet it is sometimes but an engine of resistance, and when weighed with results it seems to bo built on foundations of a very questionable character. The only union that is ever likely to be of any material benefit to mankind is one which is described by a well-known writer as being " a skilful combination cf all the powers we possess for the general good " This form of union bag the support of nearly all reformers who hay* ever written on the question. "Organisation of labor," egyp Thomas Carlyle, " is, if well under stood, tJje problem of the whole future for all who would jp fnture pretend to govern men;" while aaatber writer re* fttrks, *'The scheme of association or mubitfl co-operation, where ail useful Slents and efforts for the common good will be equally appreciated and rewarded, is the true heaven for the happiness of both $e%es." It will thus be seen that the advantages of co-operation are gradually beginning to be fepognised, and in this connection it is pleasing to npte that the Attstpaliau Co-operative News of a recent data gives some interesting particulars regarding go-operation. It points out that " the present state of society is basad upon •' private enterprise' ani 'competition.' and it is said we cannot improve it. We are told to let everything find its owq level, and that competition is best for all, c speei&lly the workers, JSTow, we affirm that competition neither inorefcios wages, lessens cost, nor reduces prices. On the pontrary, it dostroys wealth, and thereby lowers wages, increases cost and prices. It enormously increases traffic expenses, land values and rents; it multiplies factories, machinery, slocks, shops, and middlemen, and employs numerous idle owners, ; buyers, salesmen/and travellers p requires a whole army of public functionaries to protect their useless capital and properties! banks and finance institutions to tlo tbeit business, ao d courts, lawyers,

and others to settle their disputes. On the other hand distributive 00-opsration organises consumers and consumption, and thus ascertains the quantity and qualities of goods required. Itestab> lishes stores snffic'ent only for the public convenience, and employs capital and labor usefully and continually in supplying this known demand. Productive cooperation follows .distributive, and again organises manufacturies, machinery, stock, capital, and producers, to supply only what the consuming stores demand. When the home demand has been supplied then co-operation will begin with the foreign. Under co-operation the ««s< of production and distribution is reduced to the lowest limit, without-iafi-inging on wages, and thus new profits are created, and the wages fund increased, whilst price remains unaffected; and as cooper a'ion opens its doors for all to enter, and divides profits with those who create them—the workpeople and consumers—it therefore aims at benefittiog all by distributing wealth more widely and more equitably." ''