3 oo ENGLAND AND WALES 



leaving, as it will do, the local societies and their 

 federations to arrange matters of business for 

 their members. It is further deserving of men- 

 tion that no questions of religion or politics are 

 allowed to enter into the conduct of the move- 

 ment, Rule 43 of the central organization ex- 

 pressly providing that — 



No religious or political question shall be introduced at 

 any meeting of the Society, and no action of the Society 

 shall be directed towards the propagation of any political 

 or religious doctrines, or the advancement of the interests 

 of any political party or religious body. 



There is much of interest that could be told 

 concerning the local agricultural associations as 

 showing the really practical nature of the ser- 

 vices they render. The Aspatria Society, for 

 instance, has arranged sales representing a 

 total of over £500,000 since it started opera- 

 tions — a fact which suggests that when the 

 county federations come to be formed they 

 should be in a position to effect considerable 

 economies in the purchase of agricultural neces- 

 saries in wholesale quantities. On the other 

 hand an excellent example of what can be done 

 in a small way is afforded by the Muskham 

 (Notts) Co-operative Agricultural Society. This 

 village organization was started in 1899 with 

 seven members and a secretary, and several 



