An Open Letter

An Open Letter
Ceylon. Ont.
Feb 3. 1930
Dear Edior[sic],— Because I believe that Cooperation aims to bring about a more even distribution of wealth by returning to its members as nearly as possible the full value of the product of their labor. I have done what little I could to aid the co-operative movement that| agriculture is not retaining its own population or investment must be clear to any thinking person. The growth of the Co-operative movement offers a new hope if we have the wisdom and courage to use it.
The very sad circumstance of my father's death prevented me attending the annual meeting of the Share-holders of the Osprey and Artemesia Co-operative Co. The many inquiries made by me as to what took place at the meeting left me altogether unprepared for the glowing account of the years work as it, appeared in The Advance of Jan. 29. Apparently the writer—who was not I judge The Advance—drew from the year's success only one conclusion—"The result of the year's work was so satisfactory to the shareholders of the Company that they elected the old board to conduct the business of the Company in 1930." Did the shareholders not see that the work of Harold Spofford as Manager and Shipper was at least as great factor in the year's success? Let our minds go back over the last few years and let us answer this question honestly. Did the amount of business done in Live Stock increase or decrease while Harold Spofford was Shipper? True the Shareholders and the Board have a right to make such changes as they wish but Co-operation is Brotherhood, and a faithful servant should be treated as such. The report also stated that Mr. Spofford resigned as Shipper. I have no grounds to believe that statement is in accordance with the facts.
If Harold Spofford was not a good shipper, then of course try to get a better one, but if the cause of the change was too much work, an experienced book-keeper and clerk would have solved the problem and at the same time have retained an experienced man to handle by far the most important part of the business--the live stock. Very soon we need to seriously consider signing contracts for live stock— and why not ? It is not the farmer who sells co-operatively all the time who is dissatisfied but the one who pumps back and forth between the Drawer and the Shipper.
I did not expect the Egg Grading station, bearing one half the rent and one half the wages of two men, to pay in the worst four months of the year—the small deficit is not surprising. The showing for store and grading station would have been a good deal better if rent, fuel, lighting, insurance, advertising, telephone and a part of the wages had not appeared in the liability column. They were paid, why charge them twice? But even with that there was a substantial balance.
The egg grading committee of seven—four of whom were women--disappeared, if my information is correct, and the Board looks after the grading as well as the store-- with three women chosen by them to advise them--Does it appear as though the organized farm women, who more than the men were responsible for starting the new venture, have been allowed out of the administration? The same Board can quite nicely look after both, but why not put some women on the Board ?
If as shareholders, directors, manager and shipper, we are willing to hold the light of Co-operation high, advocating it both by precept and example, surely we can do much for Agriculture, but our effort must be the spirit of helpfulness and mutual trust.
Sincerely
AGNES C. MACPHAIL.