THE STATE AS FARMER 105 



the dear down-trodden ones, who at present 

 take a sip rather gingerly at co-operative 

 methods, will give place to bolder designs 

 and true patriotic organisation towards 

 national success. 



I should like to consider carefully the 

 Report of the A.O.S., in order that we may 

 gain some estimate of how far the movement 

 is likely to solve our agricultural food problem. 

 We all have good cause to remember how, 

 when the war came, all the old unsaleable 

 stock was brought down from the shelves 

 and hurried into the keeping of the nervous 

 householder. On this subject the A.O.S. 

 Report runs as follows : 



It will be remembered that during the first days 

 of the war a sudden rise in prices took place. The 

 industrial co-operative societies rendered a great 

 service to the country in helping to steady prices and 

 preventing a much higher rise, such as might other- 

 wise have taken place. The agricultural co-operative 

 societies, on their side, showed a widespread desire 

 to assist towards the same end. Many of the societies 

 affiliated to the A.O.S. supply produce to co-operative 

 stores, and instances occurred where private dealers 

 offered inflated prices at the beginning of August 

 with a view to diverting their custom from the 



