KNOWLEDGE AND UNION ARE POWER:
POWER, DIRECTED BY KNOWLEDGE, IS HAPPINESS:
HAPPINESS IS THE END OF CREATION.
CO-OPERATION CONSIDERED WITH RESPECT TO SUCH CASES AS THAT OF THE KIDDERMINSTER CARPET WEAVERS.
- We have not yet said enough to explain clearly, the principles of Co-operation—or to shew in what manner the WORKING CLASSES might begin to form Co-operative Societies. Yet the disagreement which has taken place at Kidderminster, is so important, and is so sure to be followed by other disputes, between the MASTERS and the WORKING CLASSES, that it may be worthwhile to take a co-operative view of the question; and to shew that if the STRIKE is to be continued—if the men are to hold out against the masters, and to be supported by a subscription from the different trades, the money so raised, might be applied much more effectually than ever it has been before.
- Co-operation being a subject quite new to the working classes, it is natural they should be ignorant of it. If it has ever been heard of, by any of them, it has been in such a way as to make it appear completely visionary. It has always been connected with the idea, that in order to carry it into practice, large sums of money are absolutely necessary. The smallest sum ever mentioned, as sufficient for the purpose, is £20,000. From this, the advocates of the system have gradually risen to as much as one million.
- Such representations do not dispose people even to consider the subject: they rather tend to make them incredulous, and to turn away their heads whenever the subject is alluded to. Yet the great beauty of Co-operation is, that it may be began without any capital at all. A man wants nothing but his wages, and an honest companion to begin. If they can find a third to join them, they may say, “a three-fold cord is not soon broken.” They may subscribe weekly towards a common fund, to provide against sickness, or want of work. They may market for each other. They may buy a large quantity of goods at once, and so get an abatement in price-which abatement they may throw into a common stock. If they are of different trades, they may make domestic articles of comfort for each other, and exchange them. They may do this at odd times, or after work hours.
- If a number of workmen were to join together, upon these principles, their capital would be greater, and they might do greater things. They might have a shop of their own, where they might all deal, for everything they wanted. Their shop would enter into competition with other shops, in serving the public. As the business increased, the profits and the capital would increase. As the capital increased, it would employ the members of the Society in any way which might be deemed most advantageous. If there was a profitable demand in the public, for any particular commodity, the members might manufacture it. If the profits of manufactures were not high enough, to make it worth producing them, the members might easily raise their own food, by hiring or purchasing land, and becoming, part of them, agriculturists, instead of manufacturers.
(To be continued)