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Zurich Citizens News, 1974-03-07, Page 7
THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 1974 Co -Operatives United Co-operatives of Ont- ario, Ontario's major urban and farm supply and marketing business owned by the people it serves, shares with Hensall District Co-op many of the values and strengths inherent in the co-operative way of do- ing business. What UCO, as the parent organization of 60 corporate member retail co-operatives with 38,250 members, and 38, 500 of its own members, offers to the Canadian people is a choice; an effective alt- ernative to fulfilling their needs that is not completely depend- ent on government or private corporations. As co-operatives, we believe that this alternat- ive is man's best hope for the present and his promise for the future. Our major task is to give more and more people the opportunity to be served by their own co-operative busin- esses. Despite the well deserved reputation of the co-operatives in achieving this task, Co-op members and others, continue to ask if co-operatives really have any effect in keeping dowr the cost of inputs? Through co-operatives efforts, Ontario farmers can indeed have an effect on input costs. For instance, the many active co-operative farm supply out- lets in Southern Ontario among them, Hensel] District Co-op, just by being there, are bound to have an effect in keeping prices from getting out of hand. In 1973, a patronage divid- end of 3 1/2 cents on member business was returned to the 900 members of Hensall Dist- rict. Co -Op. Also, according to a study on feed costs cond- ucted by ICO's feed marketing department, $2.5 million was saved by Ontario Co-op live- stock feeders. In 1973, UCO returned in the form of patronage refund more than $2.5 million to members doing their business with UCO. It is this patronage refund as well as the actual price savings on many items at time of purchase, that provide con- siderable economic benefits by the co-operatives. One can- not help wonder what would be the oest of farm inputs such as fertilizer, feed, grain, petrol- eum and seed corn today, if an aggressive co-op farm supply program had not existed over the past 60 years or so. Without the existence of this co-op endeavour, there is a good possibility that the own- ership and control of much of the province's agricultural production would have passed out of the hands of local farm- ers. The existence of co-operat- ives has been a factor in the continued existence of the fam- ily farm unit in Ontario and indeed Canada. Whether they are independ- ent local corporate UCO mem- bers, such as the Hensall Dist- rict Co-op, Elgin, Oxford and Norfolk, or retail branches of UCO, such as the ones located in Chatham, Brigden, Ilderton, and Comber, they all provide one-stop shopping, supplying hundreds of items required for the operation of the modern farm., or the upkeep of the May 8, 1974 is World Red Cross Day. It honours the birth of Henry Dunant, founder of the Red Cross movement. This year's slogan "Give Blood—Save Life" will be featured by the 121 national Red Cross societies around the world. ZURICIi CITIZENS NEWS offer alternatives modern home. Over the years, the democrat. ically controlled UCO member- ship structure has provided lead- ership in supplying the finest in farm supply services to co- operative patrons. They have also built up a management team that has developed a ser- ies of successful co-operative programs, such as the seed corn breeding program under the direction of tJCO's corn breeder at Chatham's seed corn plant, Dr. Ramsis Girgis. Nine of UCO's seed corn varieties were in the top ten in 11 different heat units ranges listed in this year's "Ontario Hybrid Corn Performance Trials, " published by OMAF. Twelve are on the recommend- ed lists. To serve the growing demand for co-op fertilizer, and imp- rove its distribution system, UCO purchased the Walkerton plant at Cyanamid of Canada. UCO is also participating with three other Canadian co-oper- atives and 17 U.S. regional co- operatives in the construction of a huge $80 million nitrogen plant at Medicine Hat, Alberta. A new modern and efficient hatchery is being built at New Hamburg to replace the old one at New Dundee. All of these measures have a positive effect in keeping cont- rol over both the price and quality of farm and urban supplies. Congratulating Hensall Dist- rict Co-op on their recent exp- ansion, UCO's executive vice- president and general manager, Julian Smith has said• "The progress of your co-operative is dependent on the progress of its members. A major portion of the member business continues from the loyal member co-op- eratives such as Hensall. Their excellent progress during the . year has contributed greatly to UCO's good year. Ir's not poss- ible to note here all the fine achievements this year of these member organizations. How- ever, a major development of course is the erection of the new store and warehouse of the Hensall District Co-operative designed to better fit the chang- ing marketplace and modern patron expectations." For the benefit of our read- ers, including new and prosp- ective members of co-operat- ives, some questions and answ- ers about co-ops are discussed below. What is a Co -Op? A co-operative is an org- anization which belongs to the members. The control rests equally with all members, and the profits are distributed to the members. Who can join a Co-op? You can join a co-op if you can make use of the goods and services it offers. How is the Co-op business run? Each member, regardless of his investment, has one vote to help govern and run his Co-op. Each member may use his voice and his vote in his own way; he can suggest, advise, critic- ize and commend. Members elect a board of directors to set policy in their interest and to hire and guide management. Earnings are divided amongst the members in proportion to the use they make of the co- operative services. Why do people join Co-ops? To obtain quality goods and services at competitive market prices; to democratically cont- rol economic conditions and help prevent monopolies. How do Co-ops help us? By encouraging the adoption of co-operative philosophy to the economic needs of the people by the organization of co-operative societies for dist- ribution, production, market- ing, housing, health, insurance, credit, cold storage, wholesale and other services to which co- operative principles can be applied. Should you join a Co-op? PAGE '7 It you want better control of the uses of your money... if you want to make your opinion and voice count... if you want the satisfaction of sharing and working with others to realize a common achievement... then you belong in co-op. On The Official Opening Of Your New Building We are happy to have been chosen by Con -Eng Contractors Ltd to fabricate and erect the structural steel for this new building 48 Bursie St. LONDON BEST WIS E to the H NS.'` LL IS' FICC CO - ER ©n the opening of your ew Offices reh IN HENSALL TIVE use CIA I1 TSPRANCE COOPERATORS INSURANCE ASSOCIATIONS. OF GUELPH HURON COUNTY AGENTS Bert Klopp, RR 3 Zurich, 236-4988 George Turton Goderich, 524-7411 Peter Roy, Clinton, 482-9357 Ross Francis, Kirk ton, 229-6294 Lloyd Montgomery, 9�ingham�i, 357-3739