l8 RUSSIA - CO-OPERATION AND ASSOCIATION 



with the two district unions of Volokolamsk and Rjevsk which exported 

 fibre to Great Britain. 



The time was unfavourable for the Central Union, for the closing of 

 the ordinary roads of export, and the lack of transport in countries which 

 now had to be traversed, made its task more than difficult. Public opi- 

 nion received the union's first measures sceptically. Many persons, both 

 theoretical and practical co-operators, feared that so sudden a start was 

 premature and maintained that the co-operative system ought to be applied 

 gradually. Their fears were unfounded. Thanks to its perfect organiza- 

 tion the Central Union met with a success as rapid as unexpected in all the 

 markets of the world. During one year of business it entered into solid 

 relations with Great Britain, France and Japan ; established such with most 

 of the large Russian factories ; formed for itself a large clientele ; and acquired 

 an important position on the flax market. Further it entered into rela- 

 tions with the factory of the union of zemstvos, having a representative among 

 the latter's managers. Its representatives have likewise been admitted 

 to the council of the Popular Bank of Moscow on which foreign business 

 is transacted and to the government Council for Flax and Jute. 



In its first year, 1915-1916, the Central Union sold abroad 61,310 puds 

 of linen fibre for a total sum of 700,684 roubles, distributed as follows : 



Table II. — Export of Flax abroad by the Central Co-operative Union 



of Flax Growers. 



Fibre Exported Total Value 



Countries of Export — — 



— Puds Roubles 



Great Britain 54>770 6,268,800 



France 6,000 63,000 



Japan 540 10,884 



On the home market business was' done with twelve firms to which 

 41,503 puds 39 funt (i) of linen fibre, of the total value of 465,909 roubles, 

 were sold. Most of this amount was received by the unions, with whom the 

 Central Union proposes in the near future to deal exclusively, thus constrain- 

 ing them to organize themselves. Further, the Central Union has orga- 

 nized the provision of the army at lower prices than the dealers. 



la the same period 15,000 puds of seed were sold to make oil for a total 

 sum of 27,682 roubles, and 72,586 puds of selected seed were bought for a 

 total sum of 218,614 roubles. More than 10,500 deciatines were intended 

 to be planted with this chosen seed which was examined before its sale at 

 the experimental station in Moscow. It was bought by the various orga- 

 nizations in the following proportions; 32,789 puds (45 per cent.) by the 

 co-operative unions, 22,030 puds (30 per cent.) by the zemstvos, and 

 17,667 puds (25 per cent.) by the co-operative societies. During the first 



(i) I funt = I lb. 



