The Co-operative news. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1917-1918, 1917-12-20
HOW COOPERATION
WORKS IN INDIA

ly interviewer in the great network
of commercial life in East India, but
| such is the case,
The agricultural interests in this
section of the world seem to have
caught the spirit of this great re-
form movement among the tillers
of the soil and have adopted many
of its principles into their econo-
mic life, and have made them work
in wonderful fashion.
At meeting of the East India
Association recently held in London,
an interesting paper, entitled, Co
operation in lndia-lt's Aims and
Difficulties" were read by Il. Abby
Collins, |. C. S.
The lecturer pointed out that the
cooperative movement is spreading
in a marvellous manner in India. In
1907 there were S43 societies, with
10000 members and over $736,000
of capital. In 1912 the number of
NVNiS1iSo hdu iiSlcdotu leillolu w
IS,l77, there were 100000 members,
and the aggregate capital was well
over $3,200,000. Three years later,
in June, 1915, the numbers of both
societies and members had more
than doubled, and stood at 1927
and $4,000 respectively, while the
combined capital of all classes of
societies was just under $29,200,-
600. This was an astounding re-
suit for a movement which depended
on the honesty, intelligence and mu-
tual confidence of the members of
its societies. Referring to the dis
trust with which many present re-
garded this rapid progress, Mr.. Col
Inns said the feeling was based on
various ideas. Some considered
that the very system was unsuited
to the Indian peasant, for whom
unlimited liability must be fraught
with danger; others doubted his
ability or even desire to repay the
relatively large sums advanced to
him, while others, again, feared the
stability of the higher financial or
ganization, which must tend to make
greater and greater demands on the
abilities of the leaders of the move
ment. The object of Mr.. Collins
address was to resolve these fears.
or, if that was not possible, to
show that those who were helping
to shape the course of cooperation
in India were fully alive to the
dangers and difficulties surrounding
them. He proposed, first of all,
to sketch the state of affairs which
cooperation was designed to remedy;
then to explain why it was that
the types of society adopted might
be expected to prove, and had prov
ed, successful in helping the cult
vator, and lastly, to describe the
difficulties and the way in which
it was sought to meet them.
Cooperative credit, in India, at
any rate, is the foundation of all
other forms. 1t provides the funds
without which agricultural co-opera-
ton could begin and the education
and training without which more
complicated organization would be
impossible. The cooperative credit
society frees the peasant from eco
nomic slavery, widens his mental
horizan, and creates the desire to
Go and the courage to achieve great
er things. Agricultural cooperation
will be machinery by which agricul-
tural improvements, such as new
crops, new manures and new imple-
ments may reach the peasant, and
by the eventual elimination of the
middleman, secure for him the prof
its of new methods and new dis
coveries. Cooperative diaries, ma
nure societies, and the like, are al
ready in existence. Enough has
been done to show that where the
agricultural departments can prove
to the peasant that an improvement
will pay, the latter, when organized
and provided with funds, is not only
ready to take it up but capable of
using it to good advantage. The
progress must be slow and difficult.
The figures Of membership and cap
ital quoted would be very big in
Europe or America, but they repre-
sent little more than beginnings in
India. What is needed from the
government is a sound agricultural
and educational policy, a proper
financial control, and a clear deter
mination to befriend and to support.
The rest remains with the peasants
of India, and Mr.. Collins believed
that they will show themselves not
less adaptable than the cultivators
in Europe.-Co-opera Herald.