884 READINGS IN RURAL ECONOMICS 



compelled to sell through the society, thus insuring it a regular 

 supply of all products, its success would be certain. The follow- 

 ing is a leaflet issued by the society, 



EAST ANGLIAN FARMERS LTD. 



Cooperative Salesmen 



Manager Mr. H. Barker. 



Regd. Office 141, Fenchurch Street, London, E.G. 



Depots Govent Garden & Stratford Markets, London. Established 1897. 



Bankers Barclay & Go., Lombard Street. 



This cooperative society of fruit and vegetable growers, market gardeners, 

 farmers, and smallholders, consists of about 76 members and 15 affiliated societies, 

 and since its formation has disposed of produce to the value of over ^160,000. 



It is managed by a representative committee elected by the members, who 

 have complete control over the whole of the operations of the society. 



Being registered as a cooperative society, the dividend payable on share 

 capital is limited by statute to 5%. 



The shares are 5 s. each fully paid up and each member is required to hold 

 at least 4 shares. There is no liability attached to the shares. 



No member is allowed to hold more than ^200 worth of shares in the 

 society, and it is therefore impossible for it to be controlled in the interest of 

 any individual. 



The society as well as selling the produce of its own members acts as gen- 

 eral salesman for outside growers, but any sender can become a member of the 

 society automatically under its rules ; for each ^50 worth of produce consigned 

 to the society for sale, the consignor is entitled to one share. 



After paying a dividend of 5% on its share capital the society has distrib- 

 uted to its members the following bonuses on the sales value of their produce : 



1907 2% 



1908 . . . 2i% 



1909 3% 



1910 1% 



191 1 2^% 



The books of the society are open to the inspection of the members at the 

 different depots during ordinary business hours and members can examine the 

 details of the sales of their own produce, and of that of other members, and 

 can themselves be present on the stands if they wish it when their produce is 

 being sold. 



The books of the society are audited by a firm of chartered accountants, 

 and a balance sheet is issued annually to the members showing in detail the 

 complete operations of the society. 



