Page 373 - The_story_of_the_C._W._S._The_jubilee_history_of_the_cooperative_wholesale_society,_limited._1863-1913_(IA_storyofcwsjubill00redf) (1)_Neat

Domesticities and Parliament.
definite " average weekly family grocery order," the figures proved
that on a basis of net wholesale prices a sovereign would buy 80-81 lbs.
weight in 1898, but only 69-461bs. in 1912—and this exclusive of
house coal, the pit-mouth price of which in 1912 was 48 per cent
more than in 1898. Rich or well-to-do consumers, as most of the
many leaders of the nation happen to be, in their own pockets can
be little affected by such figures. For them to be willing cheerfully
to pay more means very little indeed. Too many cushions are
between them and a sacrifice. But to the consumers whom the
co-operative movement represents any increase in the cost of
necessaries means at least something quite tangible. The tea tax,
for example, falhng equally on all qualities of tea, involves a much
greater proportionate charge upon the purchases of the very poor.
It has also the effect of so raising prices that the coarser and more
harmful kinds of tea are drunk by great numbers of people who
otherwise could afford a better and milder leaf. A consumers'
movement, co-operation stands for the quality of its supplies. On
this ground, therefore, as well as in the interests of prices, the
movement can never regard as a purely poHtical and outside matter
any serious proposal for the taxation of foods. A ParHamentary
Committee of the Co-operative Union existed from before 1892, in
which year it was reconstituted on a representative basis. In 1897
it considered the question of Parliamentary representation jointly
with sub-committees of the two Wholesale Societies; in 1900 it
became a joint committee authorised by Congress; and in 1901 it
settled down to work on a basis of four representatives from the
Co-operative Union and four from each of the Wholesale Societies.
When the " bread tax " was imposed in 1902 it shared in the
successful agitation for repeal, and a similar stand was maintained
by the Parliamentary Committee upon the revival by Mr.
Chamberlain of the protectionist policy.
The question of price has affected the butter trade of the C.W.S.
We have seen that in the early days of the Society the co-operative
consumers had to put up with high prices each winter, and a great
scarcity of all except very salt Irish butter. Gradually the sources
of supply extended until France, Holland, Germany, and America
were contributing. Nowadays, Avhile the last-named country has
ceased to supply, Sweden, Finland, AustraUa, New Zealand, the
Argentine, and Siberia follow upon the pre-eminent Denmark. The
early buying centres in Ireland, the Continental shipments, and the
Danish and Swedish extensions marked the sympathetic changes in
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