west enders and the cop

Sir, - The letters that have appeared under this heading are a lot of spiteful drivel. They clearly emanate from that social parasite known as the "small shopkeeper." To quote from "Othello" - "their occupation's gone!" or practically gone. No longer may they plunder with impunity the working and middle classes by supplying inferior goods at superior prices. Co-operative Societies have spelt their doom - thank Providence! The Co-operative Societies were created to save the working man from such harpies. I am a member of the Northern Cooperative Company, and proud of it. I practically make all my purchases from the company, and the dividend is not the inducement. I know I cannot buy cheaper from the private trader, and I can depend upon the quality as the best procurable anywhere at the money. And I stand in no fear of being cheated, because the "Cop." managers and salesmen have nothing to gain by cheating their shareholders. And, if there be "West-Enders," who, passing rich, patronise Loch Street - what then? Does it not prove that these West-Enders, tired of being victimised by the private trader, must needs patronise the "Cop.," or before long they would find themselves the poorer and the private trader the richer in consequence?

Do the Co-operative Societies cause all the woes of the private trader? What about big concerns with their undercutting of prices? What about the huge stores in London, Glasgow, etc., with their enormous "shopping-by-post" systems? Do not such huge agencies as these mean empty shops and unemployment in Aberdeen, as elsewhere? In fact, it has been argued they do more harm to the small private trader than the "Cop." can possibly do. But the small shopkeeper cannot see further than his snout, and that why he is small shopkeeper to-day - to wit, a failure. I trust "Cop." shareholders will rally to the standard and give private traders a piece - a big piece - of their honest minds. Meantime, I wish still greater success to the Northern Co-operative Company, Limited - more power to their elbow, and confusion to their enemies! ? I am, etc., Ardent "Cop"-ite.

Source : The Aberdeen Daily Journal Wednesday April 27th, 1910