|
Haile Selassie the First - July 7, 1964
... The fundamental purpose of a community development
movement is to teach the rural people of Our Empire that through
co-operative self-help and a united approach to common problems,
the vast potential for their own self-improvement which they
themselves represent can be translated into effective programmes
which can do much to improve their standard of living.
The co-operative movement has long been known throughout the
world, and We Ourself have on numerous occasions urged Our
people to join increasingly in co-operative enterprises.
Co-operatives must, ultimately, play a highly important role in the
growth of Our economy, and no time can be lost in availing
ourselves of the benefits to be derived from them. During the past
year, We decided upon a programme designed to provide specific
encouragement to the creation of agricultural co-operatives, and a
number of Government-sponsored co-operative farms have been
established by Our Ministry of National Community Development.
We have provided land, agricultural machinery and expert
assistance to these farms, and We entertain high hopes that their
success will spur Our people to embark increasingly upon
co-operative endeavours. Should Our people fail to avail
themselves of this opportunity, the consequences will be regrettable
indeed...
|
|
