8 



CO-OPERATION AMONGST IRISH FARMERS. [June 1895, 



milk, either by way of a reduced price being allowed for the 

 w^hole of the milk delivered, or by the member delivering a 

 certain quantity free of charge, until the call on the share is paid 

 up. The liability of the farmers is, in all cases, limited to the 

 amount of their shares. 



The dairy societies are registered under the Industrial and 

 Provident Societies' Act, and their operations are conducted 

 under rules drawn up in conformity with the provisions of that 

 Act. When they were first started the claim to a share of the 

 profits of non-members supplying milk to the creameries was 

 ignored. Most of the societies have now adopted special 

 rules which provide, after the payment of interest on the share 

 capital of 5 per cent, per annum, and after provision has been 

 made for certain charges and for the reduction in value of the fixed 

 stock and plant, that not less than ten per cent, of the profits 

 shall be allotted to the employes of the creamery in proportion 

 to the wages earned by them respectively during the period to 

 Avhich the division of the profits relates. The remaining profits 

 are appropriated to the individuals from whom the society 

 has purchased milk, in proportion to the value of the milk 

 supplied by each, during the same period, but an individual 

 who is not a member receives a sum equal to only one 

 half the amount to which he would have been entitled as a 

 member. The difference between the half and full value of the 

 dividend is placed to the reserve fund. Tt should be noted, 

 however, that all payments of profits to individuals who supply 

 milk are made by shares, or payments on account of shares, 

 which are appropriated to the persons respectively entitled 

 thereto, so that in this way every person supplying milk to the 

 creamery eventually becomes automatically a member of the 

 co-operative societ}^ The share of profits falling to the employes 

 is not paid in cash , it is accumulated as a loan in the society, 

 bearing such interest as may be determined at the general 

 meeting, and can be withdrawn only in case of distress or on 

 leaving the employment of the society. 



The special object of the co-operative creamer!^ is to carry 

 on the trade of dairymen and general dealers in farm produce, 

 both wholesale and retail^ as well as the manufacture of butter 

 and cheese. 



It may be of interest to describe shortly the waj^ in which an 

 Irish creamery is worked. As a general rule, the management 

 is entrusted to a president or chairman, and a number of 

 committeemen, usually from four to eight, elected by the mem- 

 bers of the society. The ordinary working staff* consists of a 

 manager, a dairymaid and assistant, a man or boy to help in 

 the dairy, and a man to look after the engines. Every share- 

 holder has a voice and vote in the society. If the com- 

 mittee do not give satisfaction in the disiharge of their duties 

 the shareholders can call a meeting, and, wdien necessary, replace 

 them. 



