The Sun.
London, England, 1869-06-03 00:00:00

'HE CO-OPERATIVE' CO! DRESS.

The_sitting of the Co-operative Congress on Wednesday
WAS under the presidency of Mr. Walter Morrison,
M.P.; and the chief subject discussed- was " Co-opera-
tive Banks." The question, in the opinion -of the
chairman, was difficult as well as _ important,
and the chief obstacle to its being carried out
to a successful issue would arise, he conceived,
from the fact that co-operators would be unable td make
up their minds to set aside a sum in the shape of remune-
ration sufficient to secure the services of efficient
managers.

The first paper read was by N. MOWER, Charge
d'Affaires at Darmstadt, on " The Principles of Co-operation
Applied to Credit." The proper application of co-opera-
tion, he said, must depend upon the proper applioation of
general laws which govern the universe. The difficulty
to be overcome did not arise from the deficiency
of products in relation to population, but from
a surplus, and the problem to be solved was
the best method of distributing that surplus. If
the classes working for wages could be placed in a posi-
tion to be accredited with capital, the problem to be
solved was solved. The entire fabric of co-operative banks
in Germany was built uron the theory that all that was
required was to obtain a certainty—an approximate
certainty—that the capital would be replaced with some
additional value for its use. He proceeded to describe in
detail the working of the credit banks in Germany, and
added that he should be satisfied with the result of his
. efforts if he had shewn that labour by assuming a
corporate form might become a borrower, and enjoy in a
legitimate way the profits of capital. In conclusion,
M. Morier said he considered that one of the first duties
of his profession as a diplomatist was not only to keep
people from cutting each other's throats, but to impress
the minds of statesmen—no easy task—with the impor-
tance of international co-operation. (Applause.)
The Rev. W. MOLESWORTH read the second paper, in
which he observed that the great cause of co-operative
failure was that managers had not waited for its natural
growth, but had tried to force it forward. In Rochdale,
where co-operation had been so successful, the progress
had been slow, gradual, and steady. Something might be
done to advance the movement by intercourse between
friendly co-operative societies ; much might be done by the
action of such societies as the Northern Wholesale ; but
much more might be done by the establishment of a
co-operative bank on thoroughly sound principles.
Such a bank ought to be managed by men who
understood co-operation in all its branches, and it would
be their duty to find out what societies wanted loans, and
to give them on good security. In this way societies could
help one another in the ordinary channels of business.
The result of his observation had been to shew that the
tendency of co-operation was to develops the highest
business talent and the highest moral virtue ; and when
the time arrived for the establishment of such a
bank, men intellectually and morally qualified to
superintend and direct its operations would not
be wanting. In the discussion which ensued
a large mass of irrelevant matter was introduced
several- of the speakers, until checked by the chairman,
persisting in elaborating points which had not been even
hinted at in the papers read. Amongst the facts
brought out worthy of note, it was stated
that in Rochdale the capital in connection with
the co-operative movement increased at so great
a rate - that it had been calculated that in
about twenty years it would be sufficiently large
to purchase the whole town. The following
resolutions were submitted by Mr. Ludlow for adoption:
L That it is expedient to establish a co-operativebank-
ing and credit association, with a central office and
branches ; and that, inasmuch as the business of banking
is still excluded from the benefits of the Industrial and
Provident Societies- Acts, such association be constituted
under the Joint-Stock Companies Act (1862), with
limited liability. 2. TI at the association he formed as
nearly as possible on the pattern of the North of England
Co-operative Wholesale Society, and he formed exclusively
of co-operative societies, registered either under the In-
dustrial and Provident Societies Act or the Joint-Stock
Companies Act, but no society to be deemed cO-operative
which divides profits exclusively on capital. Provided always
that trade societies of working men which may obtain a
legal position may be admitted to become members of the
association, either by themselves or by trustees on their
behalf. That the business of the association shall be to
keep the moneys of co-operative and trade societies, both on
current accounts and deposits,:whethermembers or not, to
discount the paper of co-operative societies, give gua-
rantees in their transactions, and transact other banking
business. That moneys may be received on deposit at
interest from registered friendly societies, benefit building
societies, and individual members.

After some discussion, the resolutions were passed.

LAW AND POLICE.

A CHARGE OF CONSPIRACY.—In the Court of Queen's
Bench, on Wednesday, a case interesting to trades unions
was heard. It was a writ of error upon a judgment on an
indictment for a conspiracy of workmen aginst their em-
ployers. There were twenty-four counts in the indictment,
most of them referring to the breach of the men's club
rules and regulations. The jury found a verdict of Guilty,
with four months' imprisonment. The main ground of
the writ of error. was that the Act only applied to intimi-
dation of workmen: The court gave judgment for the"
Crown, supporting the judgment of the court below.
THE CORONER FOR WEST MIDDLESEX.—The tedious
legal proceedings in reference to the coronership for the
western division of Middlesex were forwarded a stage on
Wednesday in the Court of Queen's Bench. A demurrer,
on the part of the " Crown v. Diplock," raised the ques-
tion whether the proclamation by the sheriff in his county
court—that Dr. Diplock was duly elected—was a judicial
act which could not be impeached by a quo warranto.
The court were of opinion that the sheriff exercised judicial
functions, and gave judgment for the defendant, the coroner.
THE CIRCULAR DELIVERY CO3fPANY.—In the Court of
Queen's Bench, on Wednesday, an appeal was heard from
the Circular Delivery Company against a conviction for
an infringement of the Post Office Act. The company
was formed for the purpose of distributing trade circulars
and other printed matter for a farthing per copy, and the
Solicitor-General argued that this was a contravention of
the Post Office Act. The court confirmed the conviction,
saying it was clear that the company undertook to do for a
farthing what the Post Office would do for a penny. The
company was expressly incorporated to carry on an
unlawful business. They might be carriers of goods or
packages, but not of letters. The case was too clear for
argument.

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.—In the Judges' Chambers,
on Wednesday, there were two interpleader applications
on the part of the Sheriff of Middlesex. Executions had
been levied at the mansion of the Duke of Newcastle, in
Carlton House-terrace, at the suit of Mr. Padwick for
£95,000, and at the suit of Mr. Beyfus for a further sum.
The property on the premises, left by the late Duke of
Newcastle, in which the present Duke had only a life
interest, was claimed on behalf of the trustees under the
will, the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone and Lord de
Tabley. Some other property was claimed by Mrs. Hope,
the mother of the Duchess. The sheriff had obtained
two summonses, and the matter came before Mr.
Baron Martin, at Chambers. He said it was clear the
Duke had only a life interest in the property, and allowed
the claim of the trustees, and ordered that the sheriff
should withdraw as to that property, giving time for the
production of evidence as to the other property before he
made an order.

SUMMONS FOR CONSPIRACY.-Mr. Rigby Wason, late
M.P. for Ipswich, applied at Marlborough-street Police-
court fora summons against Earl Russell, Lord Chelmsford,
and the Lord Chief Baron for conspiracy. He complains
that Lord Russell presented his petition to the House of
Lords in which he made a serious charge against the Chief
Baron, but the noble lord did not approve of the petition,
and in the debate which followed he spoke in the Chief
Baron's favour. The same complaint was made against
Lord Chelmsford. Mr. Wason desired that the noble
lords, in conjunction with Sir P. Kelly, should be charged
with conspiracy to defeat the ends of justice. The magis-
trate refused the application, but at Mr. Wason's request
bound him over to prosecute the charge at the Old
Bailey. .

2FIiSCELLANEOUS NETS.