REGISTRY OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES (Assistance to co-operative movement)

Mr N. Govindasamy asked the Minister for Social Affairs (a) if he will state the nature and extent of assistance given by the Co-operative Development Division to the co-operative movement in Singapore: (b) whether he is aware that the Co-operative Societies Ordinance which was last amended in 1955, is outdated and if he will consider setting up a committee comprising officials from the Co-operative Development Division, the co-operative movement and the trade union movement to review the Ordinance: and (c) whether he is aware that many co-operative societies in Singapore are still contributing two per cent of their profits towards the upkeep of the Co-operative College in Malaysia and if he is satisfied that such contribution is of some positive benefit to the Singapore co-operative movement.

Mr Chan Chee Seng (for the Minister for Social Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, there is no Co-operative Development Division in the Ministry but there is a Registry of Co-operative Societies which was transferred from the Ministry of National Development to the Ministry of Social Affairs on 16th April, 1968.

Besides advising persons who desire to form co-operative societies on procedures of registration, the Registry provides informal instruction on the up keep of accounts and records to officials of co-operative societies, particularly the poorer rural co-operatives. It also acts as auditors to certain co-operatives which do not engage the services of professional accountants. In 1968, 34 co-operative societies made use of the services of the Registry as auditors for their accounts. The Registry also holds inquiries into co-operatives which are found or reported to be mismanaged with a view to deregistration. In 1968, seven such societies were deregistered.

Although no representation has so far been made to the Ministry in regard to an amendment of the Co-operative Societies Ordinance, the Ministry will consider making amendments, if necessary, to the Ordinance in order to meet the practical difficulties which co-operative societies have experienced with the existing Ordinance.

Under the Co-operative Societies (Modification) (Amendment) Order, 1954, the contribution of two per cent from the net profits of the co-operative sccieties to the Co-operative College in Malaysia is not obligatory. As far as my Ministry is aware, only a few cooperative societies are contributing to the College. Since the separation of Singapore from Malaysia in 1965, only four co-operative societies have been contributing to the Co-operative College in Malaysia. Sixteen co-operative societies have made provision for this purpose but have not remitted such monies to the College partly on their own accord pending consideration of finding alternative places for them to undertake the training course. In return for such contributions to the College, officials of the contributing co-operative societies could participate in the short-term courses of formal instruction in cooperative subjects conducted by the College.