well where properly managed, and are fit objects for benevolent co-operation. A very good illustration of what may be done in this way through the active interest of the kind-hearted and wealthy, it to be seen in the case of Cranleigh village hospital, to which the wife of a landowner lately high sheriff of Surrey acts both as secretary and treasurer.
But besides these there is still another object, in which the upper classes may do much good. We have recently heard much co-operative societies for reducing the cost of provisions and preventing extortion on the part of London tradesmen. Without entering upon the question of whether such societies are desirable or beneficial for those they were originally intended to assist, it is quite certain that a modification of them may, with great advantage, be carried out in villages for the supply of food and clothing to the labouring population in rural districts. At present there has been very little experience in co-operative stores in villages.[1] There is no doubt, however, that the small wages of the agricultural labourer are much reduced by tribute to the local tradesmen; and with so little to spend as the labourer has, it is indeed desirable that that little should purchase as much as it can be made to do. One condition would be paramount, and that would be, that ready money should be the only means of purchase, but as this requirement would produce provident and careful habits, while the trust system leads to loss and suffering, it could not eventually militate against success.
Associated with co-operative stores there might be
- ↑ It must not be supposed from this that I am the advocate of co-operative farming, or of the "system of industrial partnership" applied to farming. The reader is referred to Appendix III. for a description of one of the most successful efforts of the sort applied to trade.
