We have given in another column a letter from Mr.
Hughes containing a very curious appeal from the Co-operative Plate Locksmiths of Wolverhampton. They started their enterprise about fifteen months ago, and assisted by the amalgamated tin- plate workers of Wolverhampton got together a successful busi-
ness, in which 80 out of the 250 plate locksmiths were engaged. The masters in their efforts to defeat the co-operative opposition have, say the association, been deliberately selling below cost price in every market in which the association had found customers, in order to drive it out of the field, as well as persecuting it in other ways. Mr. John Stuart Mill has headed a subscription to enable them to maintain this unequal contest with a sum of 101., and says in his letter to the secretary, Mr. Jones, " Co-operative production carried on by persons whose hearts are in the cause, and who are capable of the energy and self-denial always necessary in its early stages, ought to be able to hold its ground against private estab- lishments ; and persons who have not these qualities had better not attempt it. But to carry on business at a loss in order to ruin competitors is not fair competition. In such a contest, if prolonged, the competitors who have the smallest means, though they may have every other element of success, must necessarily be crushed through no fault of their own. Having the strongest sympathy with your vigorous attempt to make head against what in such a case may justly be called the tyranny of capital, I beg you to send me a dozen copies of your printed appeals, to assist me in making your case known to such persons as it may interest in your favour." We need scarcely say that we heartily concur in Mr. Mill's principles, andare anxious to aid in his object.
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