Page 510 - The_story_of_the_C._W._S._The_jubilee_history_of_the_cooperative_wholesale_society,_limited._1863-1913_(IA_storyofcwsjubill00redf) (1)_Neat

The Story of the C.W.S.
bickerings, ill-will, and regrets wliich often arise from want of a clear perception
of the stipulations on which an undertaking is founded. People who conceive
of an object different from what it really is, imagine themselves deceived, when
the deception is not in the thing itself, but in their having conceived of the
thing erroneously.
I respectfully submit to the conference a few stipulations on which an
agency shoiild be based.
COLLIGATING CONDITIONS.
1. That the good policy of dealing with and for ready money be strictly
adhered to in all transactions of the agency.
I need not dwell on the necessity of this. It is one of the fundamental
conditions of our success hitherto. One of the leading objects of co-operation
is to redeem the working classes from that state of indebtedness which has too
long held them in a condition of slavishness.
2. That none but co-operative stores should be allowed to join the agency.
I do not like for my part that co-operation be made a means of supporting
the old system of shopkeeping. The sooner we can get the labouring classes
out of their ancient mode of credit dealing, the better for themselves in many
ways. I have known shopkeepers take, and, in fact, are now taking, advantage
of our co-operative arrangements for enabling them to maintain their position
longer than they would otherwise be able to do against a better system. All
co-operative efforts should tend exclusively for the promotion of genuine
co-operation. In saying this much allow me to disclaim any bad feeling
towards the shopkeeping class. They have done the State some service, and
my wish is that they may see the wisdom and propriety of transferring their
small capitals to other investments, such as manufacturing companies, where
they will command good interest, before their occupation is gone.
3. Tliat each store joining the agency should pledge itself to deal
exclusively with the agency in those articles which it supplies.
An agency cannot be carried on with thorough success if stores are allowed
to go and come to the agency when they think proper. That would be liberty
incompatible with and jeopardise the existence of the agency. Kant has laid
down a rule with regard to personal conduct which applies no less to societies
of men: " So act that the rule on which thou actest would admit of being
adopted by all rational beings." All who join the agency must be prepared,
if need be, to make some sacrifice ; and not, because the thing does not succeed
at once, back out of it. The Rochdale Pioneers' Society and the Brickfield
store, near Rochdale, at the commencement of the Com Mill Society, passed
resolutions to purchase flour from no other place, or otherwise the corn mill
would have gone down. In those two instances the obligation of dealing with a
concern (their own) that it might be a success was perfectly understood.
4. That a small percentage be charged to each store as commission on the
amount of business done through the agency.
Stores would be supplied through the agency at the cost price of an article,
plus the small commission to cover the expenses of the agency. The purpose
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