EVOLUTION OF THE A.O.S. 107 



3. By sending down lecturers, when desired, to affiliated and 

 other societies. 



4. By acting as an information bureau to affiliated societies — 



(a) For expert advice. 



(b) For legal matters (especially as regards Industrial 



and Provident Societies). 



(c) For co-operative account keeping. 



5. By arbitration in disputes arising from the rules and adminis- 

 tration of affiliated societies. 



6. By assisting in all ways possible the furtherance of combined 

 action between the various affiliated societies in trading matters. 



7. By publishing leaflets and circulars from time to time 

 dealing with the various forms of agricultural co-operation, and 

 furnishing trade information. 



This was, in the circumstances, an ambitious programme 

 for a young Society, and the work of the early days was 

 naturally imperfect in many directions by reason of in- 

 sufficient staff and means and the difficulties presented by 

 having both to face the prejudices of generations and to 

 win over the agricultural mind to entirely new ideas. All 

 the same, a certain degree of success was secured from the 

 start, and the progress made, however slow, was sure. 



At the end of the first year of its operations, there were 

 already in affiliation 33 societies, some of which had been 

 formed by the British Agricultural Organisation Society, 

 previously to the registration of the A. O. S., though most of 

 them had been established subsequently thereto. 



Financial Position. 



In addition to affiliated societies, the membership included 

 individual subscribers to the funds ; yet even with this 

 support the question of finance presented serious difficulties, 

 so much so that in the report for 1903 it was said : — 



Out of the small income, a little more than £700 per annum, 

 which is at the disposal of the Committee, we have to provide a 

 secretary, suitable offices, clerical assistance, trained organisers 

 to give expert advice to local societies, and to furnish, without 

 stint, information by means of printed matter, etc. This can 

 only be done by the employment of men with special knowledge 

 and experience, and to secure their services due remuneration 

 and travelling expenses are obviously necessary. 



