POLITICS AND THE CO-OP
SIR,—As a belated Victorian, with clear memories of those remote days when the 'Co-op' not only 'delivered the goods' in excel- lent style to its humble customers, but paid them a handsome cash `divi' as well, I should like to comment upon Mr. Ledger's somewhat naive defence of the contemporary Co-opera- tive movement.
Obviously the Labour Party and its bright young careerists must somehow contrive to keep alive, but why at the expense of that multitude of simple-minded working people, who so obviously constitute the bulk of the 'Co-op's' mutely uncomplaining customers, I simply cannot understand.
Now that rationing is ended, in melancholy contrast to the enterprise displayed by the smallest of our shopkeepers, the 'Co-op' remains sluggishly content to offer an amaz- ingly restricted choice of consumer goods, often of inferior quality and always at top price, and a display for which the present meagre 'divi' obviously does not compensate. Moreover, I find that both intelligent sugges- tions and requests are invariably disregarded-- often, indeed, resented.
All in all, therefore, it would appear that the 'Co-op' would be well advised to revert to its essential function of pleasing its humble consumer members, instead of taking such un- fair advantage of their ignorance and loyalty. Much of the money now wasted upon such costly and utterly unnecessary 'sideshows' as financing careerist Labour politicians might be better used in improving essential services, lowering prices and increasing the Whatever may, have been the aims of those worthy Rochdale pioneers, to speak of the Co-operative movement in these days, as Mr. Ledger does, as a way of life is, of course, mere Socialist claptrap. Astute exploitation of native ignorance and class consciousness would be much nearer the mark. Actually, if the Co-operative movement were content to mind its own business as efficiently as does private enterprise, it would have no need of protection in Parliament or anywhere else.
Mr. Ledger may or may not be surprised to learn that, in my own neighbourhood, I have yet to meet a single Co-operative member who is even aware of the existence of that imposing body of 'Labour Co-operative' Members of Parliament, or, of course, of the fact that she is privileged to support their existence.—Yours faithfully, 2 Mount Terrace, York, Yorks W. E. KAYE
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