As many members will know, Rewi Alley travelled to China in 1927 and briefly returned to New Zealand in 1937. While away from China, Rewi had also visited factories in Europe and North America and, on his return to China became involved in establishing the Industrial Cooperative (INDUSCO) movement. It was this movement that became associated with the slogan ‘Gung Ho, Work Together’ — a synonym for enthusiastic teamwork later adopted by the US Marines.
In 1942 Rewi’s relations with the nationalist government deteriorated, resulting in his dismissal from INDUSCO. Between 1937 and 1942, however, he had been able to assist in the establishment of hundreds of industrial cooperatives across the country, with international funding support. Today, the International Committee for the Promotion of Chinese Industrial Cooperatives (ICCIC) carries on the legacy of Rewi Alley and continues to equip citizens, leaders, educators and policy makers to form cooperative enterprises that provide members with the financial and social benefits they need.
Neale Towart from Unions NSW has been filing and scanning pamphlets at Unions NSW, and has sent the Society a scanned copy of this General Report on the Chinese Industrial Cooperatives (PDF) written by Rewi Alley in May 1939.
