Co-operative Agricultural Societies. 75 



After discussion, the following resolution was adopted unani- 

 mously : — 



" This Congress approves of the principle laid down in items 

 b (a) to (e), and refers the m.atter to the Maize Conference for con- 

 sideration." 



Item No. 6. — The necessity for strict compliance toith the pro- 

 visions of the Co-operative Act, in connection ivith iiotifica- 

 tion to the Registrar of any changes in the Tnembership. 



The Reg'istrar complained that this important matter was being 

 very lightly treated by several societies. Although the law provided 

 a heavy penalty for non-compliance with this provision, considerable 

 laxity existed in many societies in regard to notifying him of the 

 changes in their membership. It had frequently happened that he 

 had been informed of such changes only after a lapse of two or three 

 years, and in some cases not at all. 



Lists sent to societies for certification were sometimes only 

 returned after months had passed, which caused delay in the publica- 

 tion of the names in the Gazette. All changes in the membership 

 should be reported to him immediately they take place, and particu- 

 lars of resignations should not be kept over until the end of the 

 financial year before being submitted to him. The books of the 

 societies should at all times indicate who was a member and who 

 was not. Very grave consequences could result from neglect of this 

 important dutj^ on the jjart of societies. The delegates agreed with 

 the views expressed by Mr. Retief, and the following resolution was 

 passed : — 



" That each delegate undertakes to urge upon his society to take 

 such steps as will ensure that changes in the membership will imme- 

 diately be dealt with by the Directors, and the Registrar be notified 

 thereof without any delay." 



Item No. 7. — Collection of outstanding accounts of Tnemhers and 

 non-members. 



The Registrar pointed out that this matter had already been 

 discussed by previous Congresses, and, although an improvement was 

 noticeable, the position left much to be desired. The practice of 

 some societies of giving long credit to non-members was also very 

 undesirable. It was a matter which deserved the earnest attention 

 of the Directors. 



The item was duly noted. 



Item^ A'O. 8. — Retaining Land Bank loans for longer periods than 

 they are actually required. 



The Registrar explained the two kinds of Land Bank loans, viz. : 

 (1) Fixed loans, in respect of which interest was paid on the amount 

 granted, and (2) cash credit loans, on which interest was paid on the 

 daily balance outstanding. As soon as the societies received the 

 money for members' produce sold, they should immediately repay the 

 instalment on the cash credit loan, otherwise unnecessary interest 

 charges would be incurred. The representative of the Land Bank 

 fully endorsed Mr. Retief's recommendation, and pointed out that in 

 the previous week the societies owed the Land Bank £109,000 in 

 respect of cash credit loans, the interest on which amounted to about 

 £100 per week — which must all be subtracted from the price of the 

 societies' produce. 



