14 AUSTRIA - CO-OPERATION AND ASSOCIATION 



the proportional amortization of a deficit shown on the balance-sheet from 

 the shares, if the ordinary reserve be insufficient to meet it. 



The federation of the co-operative societies of Spalato decided some 

 time ago that the credit granted to co-operative oilmills nnist not be more 

 than double the amount of the paid-up shares. The total amount of the 

 paid-up shares of the thirteen societies passed from 6,500 crowns in 1908-1909 

 to 65,000 crowns in 1913-1914. The amount of the unpaid-up shares is 

 unimportant. The numer of subscribed shares is still too smalt, averaging 

 barely half of what it ought to be, namely 25 per cent, of the working ca- 

 pital. If the grants were for any reason diminished the capital in shares of 

 the co-operative societies ought to be proportionately increased. 



§ 3. The Oii.Mn:,ES. 



In spite of their evident advantages there are great drawbacks to the 

 oilmills supplied with mechanical motor power. Its emploj^ment is only 

 advisable and permissible in the case of important enterprises suffering from 

 a serious shortage of labour. Mechanical motor power is useful above all 

 for the propulsion of olive-mills and hydrauHc olive-presses for which con- 

 siderable force is certainly needed. It would certainly sometimes be more 

 profitable to small societies to use manual labour, an olive-miU being easily 

 worked by animal power and hydraulic presses by hand. The method would 

 render considerable economies possible, especially in 5^ears of bad harvest. 



Moreover many co-operative enterprises for oil production would be 

 entirely fitted to serve other ends than those of oUve-growers. From the 

 technical point of view it ought for instance to be possible to use their plant, 

 when certain additions have been made to it, for realizing the value of grapes 

 and wine. The fact that they generally possess mechanical motor power 

 would allow a large threshing machine to be employed in them with pro- 

 fit ; and one which was moveable would provisionally amply supply the needs 

 of co-operative oil societies which also produce cereals. At present eight 

 out of the thirteen societies grind cereals but only rarely in a scientific way. 

 The society of Janjina has obtained the best results in this respect. As a 

 rule the mills are used rapidly because there is a lack of experienced master- 

 millers. The members of the co-operative societies are bound to' use the 

 co-operative mills exclusively. The home production of cereals is small, and 

 the collective purchase of varieties of seeds suited to the countrj' would be 

 most advisable, the more so because the right to import free of customs- 

 duties into Dalmatia is granted by the authorities or could be obtained from 

 them. A cheaper, larger and better supply of bread could thus be secured, 

 as has been proved by the experience of the well managed mills, and the 

 food supply of the Dalmatian population would benefit indisputably. 

 Various Raffeisen funds {Seoske blagajne or communal funds) which are 

 active locally or in the neighbourhood have joined the co-operative so- 

 cieties for oil production as corporation-members, in order to give their 



