The Commission of Inquiry into Co-operative Stores will not be
renewed this Session, and it is pretty evident, from the speech of Mr. Chamberlain to the deputation from the Civil- Service Stores which waited on him on Saturday, that the Government have made up their minds upon the subject. They will not interfere with the Co-operative Societies, or preclude employs from being shareholders, or even managers, provided. that their work for the State is fixed and is done at fixed times. But they disapprove of Civil servants who hold offices which may be considered confidential, and who are not bound to fixed hours or a fixed task, managing such societies. They are apt to give too much thought to them, and in occasional cases may find their duties as directors and as servants of the State in direct conflict. Such employment will, therefore, be prohibited. This decision will not satisfy the tradesmen, who, in fact, would be content with nothing but an order that no servant of Govern- ment should be partner in a store ; but it is a reasonable com- promise. It agrees, moreover, with the etiquette which forbids a Minister of the Crown to engage in any business in which his interests and those of the State might possibly come into conflict.
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