Page:Problems of Empire.djvu/165

 Speech at Catsfield, July 28th, 1903.

to make a few observations on two subjects which are of considerable importance to all those engaged in agriculture. First, as regards agricultural co-operation, I would like to take this opportunity of saying to you, many of whom were present at the meeting held in Battle last February, when Mr. Leacock, who is here, came down and gave an address, that the committee that was appointed on that occasion did not see their way to make any practical recommendations. The committee consisted entirely of large farmers, most of whom were deriving, as individuals, much of the benefit that would accrue from the wholesale purchase of foodstuffs, manures, or implements.

Perhaps the most remarkable incident in our proceedings was the fact that one of our members presented, for our consideration, the report of another society carrying on business in another county, of which he himself was a member, and from which, he asserted, he derived considerable benefit. This gentleman was opposed to the starting of an Agricultural Supply Society in Sussex, but yet he was a member of a society in another county, doing exactly the same sort of work which I hoped would have resulted from the 147