New-York tribune., 1869-06-22
ENGLLSR CnOPERATION.

a Cooperative OODSTess HIS ItCChJJ hShN
session in London. What in England Is re-
garded as the cooperative movement is divided
into branches, the most extensive being that
devoted to the purchase of commodities for dis
tribution in order to avoid the expense of mid
demen, while the remaining ones are those
associations in which workmen have combined
for manufacturing purposes, and those in which
the employees are allowed a share in profits in
addition to ordinary wages. In regard to the
subject which imparts most value to the pro-
gress of cooperation, Mr.. Thomas Hughes
whose long and intimate connection with it
renders his statements authoritative, was un-
able in the opening address, which he deliv-
cred, to say anything satisfactory. Refer
ring to the previous Congress-, seventeen years
ago. he said "In those days they recognized
as their main object the making men of
Z" their members, training them to feel their
relationship to each other, the worth of fell
lowship in work. the duty of aiding and
" training their weaker brethren, and regarded
" the making of profits, the production of
wealth as a means only TO this end while
"since that time they have, to a great extent
given in to the prevailing heresy of our day,
"and have treated the making of profits and
A" the production of wealth as the end, not the
"means." In thus aiming exclusively to estab-
lish fourshiug business concerns, the vari-
Gus societies for distribution have done their
work Gin most effective manner, with a
success, economically speaking, without a
parallel in this country or elsewhere.
This success, however, must measurably
promote the very object from which the
societies should never have deviated The
questions which pressed upon the attention Of
the Congress were important. They were
mainly as to the best means of bringing the
various scattered societies and associations
into closer union, the establishment of a
co0perative bank and of wholesale central
depots. The first and last of these subjects
the same which occupied the Congress in
lsj2-have been to some extent solved by the
establishment of n Wholesale Society in the
North of England, in which two hundred
stores have combined together as share
holders, and have TINS established machln-
cry for purchasing wholesale, in the very
best market. the goods required for
the consumption of these 200 stores, or
some $4,000 families. The need for stronger
unions and for cooperative banks have
become evident. In some cases societies
could not proGtably employ the funds given
them, and in few others they have been re-
fused credit by the banks although perfectly
solvent, obtaining loans only at high interest.
Mr.. Hughes has been led to inquire how trade
unions may be employed to further co6pea-
ton, and how they may become, as they ought
to be, the most efficient promoters of labor
banks. .-.e..
There is apparent in the observations of
those most competent to judge from active ex-
perlence of Cooperation in England nrm falth
in its merits and utility. When we consider
the deplorable state of the working classes IN
England, resulting from the competitive war
fare she has waged against the industry oil
other nations, and the various expedlents 10
which they vainly resort in order TO improve
their condition, we have reason for congratula-
ton upon the progress which has been made
toward securing an ample return Tor labor.
At best, however the great Labor Movement
is only in its infancy,