FORESTRY OF JAPAN. 1 23 



area of the forest owned by them. Some relieve the members- 

 of their payment of shares of the expenditure by making them 

 substitute personal services. The right of voting is sometimes 

 fixed as one vote for each I cho of forest owned or as one vote 

 for the smallest area owned by any of the members. The 

 mode of proceeding is similar to that of an ordinary one. 



II. The Cooperative Society for the Staple Products. 

 The law of this co-operative society has been promulgated with 

 a view to eradicate evil customs concerning trade and to 

 promote its interests for the purpose of encouraging the produc- 

 tion of important products. The Department of Agriculture 

 and Commerce has also issued an instruction directing the 

 application of this law. Important forest products are governed 

 by the same law. It has b^en laid down as a rule that those 

 engaged in the manufacture or the sale of important products 

 and those merchants whos^ callings are closely connected 

 with this business may establish a co-operative society. District 

 in which a co-operative society exist, must be larger than 

 that of a county or a city. If the consent of two-thirds of 

 the members be acquired together with the sanction of the 

 Minister for Agriculture and Commerce, the organization of a 

 co-operative society is rendered possible. All the owners of 

 forests within its district are required to become its members. 

 As to the composition of the co-operative society, there are a. 

 president, a vice-president and several councillors who are 

 elected from among the members. Besides these leading- 

 officials, there are a certain number of examiners, whose 

 function is to examine commodities. It is further laid down 

 that the co-operative society may make a representation to the 



