The annual report, presented to the Co-operative Congress, which opened
on Monday at Middlesbrough, shows progress- all along the line. The main figures are thus set forth in tabular form :—
1899. 1900.
Number of Societies 1,651 1,634 Number of Societies to which the figures
1,613 1,602 Number of Members 1,729,976 1,827,653
Shires
21,381,527 23,103,729 Sales ... 69,635,000 77.276,858 Profits ... 7,823,272 8,573,900 Investments ... 13,469,339 ... 14,216,932
Detailed analysis shows a slight decrease in the membership of the wholesale co-operative societies, but a marked increase in shares, sales, and profits. The number of retail societies has decreased slightly, but the membership has increased by nearly 100,000, while the trade done has largely developed. A similar satisfactory state of affairs prevails in the productive societies, though room for expansion exists in this depart- ment. The report on co-operative agriculture is less satis- factory, as "from various causes the agriculturists of the country seem to be much slower to recognise the benefits of co-operative action than are those in Ireland." The figures with regard to co-operative credit banks, again, show that Ireland leads the way, with a membership of 2,943 and a capital of £5,679, as against a membership of 1,330 and a capital of £4,859 for England and Scotland combined. It is stated, however, that the benefits of these banks, the members of which are working men and women of various occupations, are being more and more understood and appreciated.
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