124 COMMERCIAL BASIS 



would be unnecessary. But when he comes 

 to market with the bulk of his produce he 

 knows that the depot has better information 

 and can control better prices than he could 

 hope for if he attempted marketing by himself. 

 His biggest consignments will consequently be 

 placed in its charge. All transactions are on 

 a commercial basis. He may ask for estimates 

 for work he wishes done. Absolute privacy 

 can be relied on, and, except for the fact that 

 he is trading with the same organization as his 

 neighbours, he is entirely unconcerned with 

 them or with their operations. The system 

 of depots supplies all the advantages of the 

 co-operative societies on the Continent ;* but, 

 whereas in the latter a member must to a 

 certain extent merge his personality into his 

 society, the customers of a depot in no way 

 sacrifice their independence or lose their 

 individuality. 



This system is easily adaptable for general 

 application, with only the small modification 



* If a group of small owners formed a society and 

 applied to take over themselves the management of their 

 depot, there would be no objection to their doing so pro- 

 viding a fixed rate of interest was paid annually on the 

 capital involved. 



