The summer of 1894 is still remembered in Scotland as the year of the big coal strike. There is this peculiarity about the economic position in the Central and Western districts of Scotland that, when from any cause there is a slackness in the coal trade, that slackness soon manifests itself also in the whole commercial life of the community. The strike of 1894 had the effect of paralysing industry all over the country, and soon distress was manifest, not only in the coal mining districts, but in every industry which was dependent on coal for motive power. By the beginning of August distress was widespread, and appeals to the Baking Society for assistance in feeding the wives and children of the strikers and of others in distress through the strike resulted in a special meeting of the committee being called to deal with the matter. At that meeting it was decided that the committee revive the powers granted them earlier for the purpose of dealing with distress. In the course of carrying out this noble work the Federation distributed several thousands of dozens of loaves. The effect of this good work on the movement, and on the Federation in particular, was doubtless not apparent at the moment, but the growth of the spirit of brotherhood which it fostered must have had its influence in strengthening the position of Co-operation generally and thus, indirectly, the position of the Federation. The Federation cast its bread upon the waters, as the result of an impulse which was purely humanitarian, and any results of a commercial nature which accrued in later years were unsought and but a reflex result of a policy which in its impulse was entirely worthy and without ulterior motive. A WORK’S FIRE BRIGADE. Towards the end of 1892 a work’s fire brigade was started; a large supply of hose was procured, and after a short period of training uniforms were procured by the committee. The committee took a keen interest in the proposal to hold a bazaar in aid of the fund for providing a Co-operative seaside home for convalescents. When the ladies of the movement first met to consider plans for the bazaar they were the guests of the Society; representatives of the Society attended the meetings held to make preparations for the bazaar; the purvey department undertook the catering during the three days it lasted, and the profits accruing from the sales, amounting to over £17, were handed over to the Bazaar Committee. On several occasions requests by the vanmen for a full six days’ holiday every year had been refused by the committee; but in the beginning of 1893 the question was again considered, and it was agreed that the bakers, vanmen, and breadroom workers each get five days of continuous holiday instead of three.