We gather from various letters to the newspapers that the
farmers had proposals to make to the Federation of Milk Distributors which would have prevented the present rise in price. In a letter to the Times of Wednesday a correspondent pointed out that in 1919 United Dairies, Ltd., made a net profit of £233,444, paid 10 per cent., and carried forward a surplus of £84,924 ; and that since then the profits have increased every year. By June, 1923, the net profits were £468,623, a dividend of 12} per cent. was paid, and there was a surplus of £201,544. The Covent Garden strike—which has collapsed—proved that the producers can co-operate, and can get easily enough into direct contact with consumers when they are compelled by circumstances to do so. The Farmers' Union ought to follow suit. They ought to draw up a plan with the Co-operative Societies, as they have often pro- fessed their willingness to do. And now that they have taken over the moribund Agricultural Organization Society they ought to turn it into a really live concern for the advantage of themselves and the public.
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