ECONOMIC SOLUTIONS 117 



the conditions of the industry for the members. In the 

 control of the management the principle of ' One Man 

 One Vote ' should be strictly observed, an essential con- 

 dition of co-operative as distinguished from joint-stock 

 organization."* " This principle is so well established 

 by the experience of all countries that it is rather re- 

 markable that it has not yet affected Canadian legisla- 

 tion. Those who have read the history of co-operation 

 will have remarked that while there are individual 

 societies composed of men of exceptional ability and 

 public spirit that have succeeded with a joint-stock 

 organization, yet speaking generally co-operation has 

 been a dismal failure until suitable legislation was pro- 

 vided, or at least until antagonistic laws have been 

 repealed."f As our legislation now is, Canadian 

 farmers seeking formal organization are obliged to use 

 the methods of capitalism that enable those whose inter- 

 ests are not necessarily in the land or the industry to 

 control the organization and take what toll they please. 

 But more than legislation is required. Law is effec- 

 tive only as it embodies public will. In 1896 the Na- 

 tional Agricultural Union of Great Britain attempted 

 co-operation on a large scale. The British Produce 

 Supply Association was formed. A quarter of a million 

 dollars was put in the scheme. Owing, however, to the 

 want of organization among the farmers it was found 

 that regular supplies could not be obtained. How shall 

 the co-operative spirit be fostered? Here as every- 

 where, we come finally to the moral difficulty under- 

 lying the economic one. Our farmers' boys do not 



* The Outlook, December, 1911. 



t A MacNeil, Department of Agriculture, Canada, " Report, 

 Third Conference of the Fruitgrowers of Canada," p. 19. 



