Mr. C. F. Strickland's Illuminative Discourse on Ca-operation: An Optimistic View China's progress and possibilities in the development of rural and urban ce-operative societies were freely discussed on Thursday by Mr. C.F. Strickland in an exclusive interview with a representative of the "North-China Herald". Mr, Strickland, who enjoys the distinction of being the first lecturer sent out to China by the "Universities China Committee in London" for a year's period, is an authority on ce-operative societies organized for the purpose of eliminate ing the money-lender by forming groups of farmers and other small Producers, These groups borrow Jointly from the banks for all necessary requirements and may also undertake ce-operative marketing.
"After many years' experience this work in India, and an extensive study of ce-operation in other coun tries, Mr, Strickjand was able to treat the idea of such a movement in China in a distinctly optimistic spirit. His eyes twinkled with humour described his work in India, at request, and explained that a knowledge of reading and writing Is-not neces sary to carry on such a society successfully.
"In India I had an opportunity for special study, for T was Registrar in one of the Indian Provinces which had 20,000 societies functioning, and afraid you're wrong about literacy being a requirement. In hundreds of those societies, not a soul could 1 or write! Not even the secretary! The secretary merely was the custorian of the books which were Drought out whenever the organizer visited the village. A meeting was called. The farmers assembled, dictated thely borrowing and repay: ments which were duly entered, and the books were handed back to the secretary to keep until the next periodic visit a few months later. It is very simple—that method, but requires trained workers to direct It"
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.