) A Grain Growers' Meeting 



much interest and created a good deal of dis- 

 cussion, was the possibiHty of estabhshing a local 

 co-operative store ; and on this point it may be 

 well to enlarge a little, as it is a matter that is 

 coming very much to the front throughout the 

 West. 



The British consumer, familiar with the great 

 system of local co-operative societies so common 

 in the North of our island, with their vast whole- 

 sale trading and manufacturing organization, 

 and with Army and Navy Stores, Civil Service 

 Stores, and the huge cash-trade concerns, can 

 hardly realize the state of things in Western 

 Canada, where petty credit with cumulative evils 

 seems to be the normal condition. 



Now, I am, in the following remarks, far from 

 making an attack on the storekeepers (i.e. shop- 

 keepers). Like most of those with whom they do 

 business, they are worthy people, though out for 

 what they can get; but the shortage of ready 

 money in newly settled districts, while it makes 

 the population often indebted to them for kindly 

 assistance to tide over a bad time, of course 

 places the community at their mercy as to charges 

 far too much. I am aware this matter may seem 

 ^^ery dry and commonplace, but as I want to give 

 ^Bt true idea of the pioneer settler's life, I must 

 ^Msk the reader's kind patience. 



I 



