PROVISION OF BORROWING FACILITIES. 433 



the power of actually doing things and not merely talking about them 

 must be exhibited. Co-operation gives good men a chance of showing 

 what they can do, it rouses a healthy spirit of rivalry, and it absolutely 

 defeats the man who talks but does nothing. To get good results cons- 

 tant work and unremitting care and attention to business are absolutely 

 necessary. Beyond doubt the institution of co-operative banks has 

 done much to develop the business talent of the Provinces on lines 

 which must have a profound influence on the future. 



Then we have our annual Provincial Co-operative Conferences. 

 The.se ffive men from the different Banks a chance of meeting: each other 



^ O 



and comparing views on the numerous questions which arc constantly 

 arising in connection with the development of the movement. The 

 arrangements for the first Conference were made by the Registrar. 

 Some doubts were expressed as to whether interest in the movement 

 was then sufficiently great to secure a good attendance. But more 

 than 150* people were present, and the Conference was followed by 

 some very valuable and remarkable results. Now we have a Conference 

 Committee which is composed of un-officials who appoint their 

 own Secretary and arrange all details in consultation with the 

 Registrar, The holding of these Conferences has aroused a spirit, 

 of independent self-help which cannot but strengthen the move- 

 ment. 



At first we thought that it was too ambitious to turn our Central 

 Banks into the more advanced co-operative institutions known as 

 "Central Banking Unions. " We were strangers to the Joint Stock 

 Banks ; but, in 1909, the late MR. DEANS, Manager of the Allahabad 

 Bank, gave us our chance. And in the Government review of the 

 co-operative work for that year the Chief Commissioner said : "The 

 past year has witnessed an important advance. The Sihora Central 

 Bank has shown that well managed societies may expect valuable 

 support from the Joint Stock Banks and has further justified the claim 

 of the District or Tahsil Bank to a place in the co-operative 

 organization by its work in investigating applications of rural societies 

 for registration. A financing society, working in a limited area, is 

 exceptionally qualified to decide on the fitness and reliability of a 

 borrowing society ; the sum of the local knowledge and influence 

 possessed by its directorate is very large and its own interests demand 

 caution and a close adherence to the principles of co-operative banking 

 in the foundation of its client societies. The Chief Commissioner 



