NEED OF ORGANISATION 97 



foreigners — how the thing may be done. Take, for instance, the 

 Raiffeisen Society. It was started by one who was neither village 

 labourer nor small holder. It avowedly seeks the aid and collabora- 

 tion of people in easy circumstances, men and women, who among 

 ourselves would be " patrons." But they are not " patrons." They 

 give their help in a way which has the signal merit that it cannot 

 corrupt or demoralise. Giving it, they take their places by the side 

 of those whom they wish to benefit as perfect equals, claiming no 

 prerogative. Under this aspect they become perfect democrats. 

 And their creation flourishes. It has filled the land, spreading 

 blessings and peace abroad. And the system has penetrated into 

 far-off chmes, among people of all races, creeds, colours of skin and 

 languages, and produced everywhere precisely the same good that 

 it has in its home. The fact that in India it is recognised as the 

 modern substitute for the vanished and regretted " village com- 

 munity " shows to what extent it can, as a democratic, equalising 

 and uniting factor, serve the purpose of an organising institution. 



The same effect may probably be called forth under a more or less 

 different kind of organisation. The methods do not matter so long 

 as the principle is preserved. The prevailing customs and tradi- 

 tions of each country must in every case be taken into account. 

 Aliter cum aliis agendum. I have seen practically the same effects 

 produced by somewhat different organisation, the same spirit being 

 there — which spirit overcomes difficulties and renders even faulty rules 

 workable. The main point is that in organising for country life we 

 must work with the proper country tools, employing organisers 

 qualified for their office, promising to secure for themselves the con- 

 fidence, and therefore the willing hearing and ready following, of 

 their intended pupils, and seek to create union, common action and 

 mutual goodwill ; but also that we should, in harmony with the 

 spirit of the age, lose sight absolutely of those class differences 

 which up to the present have played so strongly marked a part in 

 dealings in the country and formed an obstacle to the progress that 

 we all equally desire, cast off patronising and condescension, and 

 produce a spirit of democratic equality, banishment of gene in one 

 another's company, which plan alone can carry things well forward, 

 such as we see in America, in France, in Switzerland, and in Den- 

 mark — everywhere, in fact, where rural organisation has secured a 

 good record. 



There is a great deal that organisation, be it co-operative or non- 

 co-operative, can effect in connection with rural reconstruction for 

 social purposes. Not to dwell at this point upon the very fruitful 



B.R. h 



