AGRICULTURAL CO-OPERATION 383 



On 3rd November, 1896, a fresh Committee was appointed 

 by the Council to consider the feasibility of extending co-opera- 

 tion for the sale of agricultural produce. This Committee 

 examined a number of witnesses and arranged a conference 

 on the various departments of agricultural co-operation, on 

 8th December, 1897. This gathering was well attended by 

 representatives of agricultural co-operative societies, but as 

 the object was to obtain information to enable the Committee 

 to prepare its report no resolutions were submitted. The 

 conference, however, adopted a motion asking the Central 

 Chamber to endeavour to establish some form of communica- 

 tion between the British and Irish co-operative organisations. 



The Committee presented its report on 3rd May, 1898, 

 when it was sent down to local Chambers. It came before 

 the Council on 7th June, when it was adopted without dis- 

 cussion. This report was a valuable document of over 100 

 pages. Its principal recommendation was contained in the 

 following paragraphs : 



113. The Committee hesitate, however, to recommend an 

 addition to the numerous agricultural associations already exist- 

 ing, the more so as they are of opinion that the end would be 

 better attained by utilising to some extent the machinery of the 

 Central Chamber of Agriculture, which, as previously indicated 

 {paragraph 69), already stands in some respects in an analogous 

 position to the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society. 



114. The Committee recommend the Council of the Central 

 and Associated Chambers of Agriculture to constitute a "Co- 

 operation Section of the Central Chamber of Agriculture," which 

 should comprise all deputies and subscribing members of the 

 Chamber desirous of joining it, and should have the power to 

 take action, within denned limits and without committing 

 the Chambers as a whole, for the promotion of the principle of 

 co-operation in agriculture. Such a section would no doubt 

 be able to obtain, by special contributions from Chambers inter- 

 ested and from individuals, sufficient funds to enable it in due 

 course to get into touch with such co-operative associations as 

 already exist, and perhaps to federate them for mutual assistance, 

 and also to give sound advice and help in the formation of similar 

 associations in suitable localities. Its connection with the general 

 body of agriculturists would be a safeguard against the risk of 

 acting upon mere theories or entering upon ill -considered enter- 

 prises ; while, on the other hand, the Central Chamber could not 

 fail to be strengthened in influence by the support of any new 

 associations of farmers, whose general interests it is its function 



