August 3, 1901. It is a fact to be noted that, whilst in some towns the co-operative societies still do a fairly successful business, in others they can make no headway at all. Everywhere, nowadays, they have pretty much the same sort of competition to contend against; grocers are energetic and enterprising in every locality; and local "stores" are beginning to feel the pinch to a rather serious extent. Even "divi" seems to be losing a great deal of its charm. The ardour of supporters tend to cool and they prefer the shops. {{COUNTERPOINT }}