28 RURAL DENMARK 



extent. Thus in 1908 there existed 1200 Unions of the 

 Society, numbering 170,000 members, which Unions 

 pay a dividend of from 4 to 5 per cent., after 

 deducting and placing to the reserve fund one-third 

 of the total profit earned. In 1909 this reserve fund, 

 most of which is used in erecting new buildings and 

 otherwise in extending the work of the Union, 

 amounted to 2,162,217 kroner (nearly ,120,000). 



The Society supplies all sorts of goods to its mem- 

 bers, such as groceries, draperies, hardware, clothing, 

 boots, &c. Indeed it deals in everything except 

 agricultural implements, which are handled by a 

 separate Union. The financial risk is divided 

 amongst the members, each Union being responsible 

 for its individual debt ; but if any default were made 

 by the central office, the affiliated Unions would not 

 be responsible. 



Some years ago this Society came into conflict 

 with the private traders, with the result that the 

 wholesale agents refused to supply it with goods. 

 In the end, however, it grew so strong that the 

 opposing combination broke down, and, disregard- 

 ing the agents, the Society bought direct from the 

 manufacturers. One of its rules is that all goods 

 supplied must be paid for in cash within thirty days. 

 Deposit accounts, however, are allowed, and 5 per 

 cent, interest is credited to them, but on any over- 

 draft 8 per cent, is charged. It is satisfactory to 

 know that this great and successful co-operative 

 institution had its origin in England that is to say, 

 it was modelled on the system of the Rochdale 

 Weavers' Society. 



In Aarhus I noticed for the first time that, as 

 in all the big Danish towns, the meat exposed for 



