When the branch was established in Belfast the distinct understanding on which the U.C.B.S. took action was that as soon as convenient it should be taken over by the local societies, but as the years pass the likelihood of this being done seems to become more remote. As has already been stated, the branch has been of great assistance not only to Belfast Society but also to the majority of other societies in the North. It has fostered the Co-operative spirit and Co-operative idealism. From a weakling which was very much in need of the fostering care of the movement in Scotland Co-operation in Ireland, and especially in the North of Ireland, has grown to be a strong and healthy organisation, with its centre in Belfast and with branches scattered all over Ulster. It is probable that the Irish societies are strong enough now to take over the branch if they were so disposed, but the farseeing spirits amongst them see that there is other work lying to their hand to which, relieved of the working of the bakery, they can turn their undivided attention. On the other hand, the proposal, adopted in 1917, that the Federation should proceed, as and when expedient, to plant branches in other centres of Co-operation in Ireland, will in course of time cause the U.C.B.S. in Ireland to cease to be an exclusively North of Ireland concern. It will do much, just as the other federation in Ireland, the I.A.W.S., is doing much, to weld together into one united movement the whole of the Co-operative societies in the country. It will serve for Ireland, as it and its kindred associations in Scotland and England are serving to-day, as an illustration of the fact that Co-operation is not merely a principle for adoption by a few farmers or a few workmen in a given district, but is also a principle on which these isolated groups can be united into one powerful whole, by becoming an institution where all can meet on a common platform. CHAPTER XV. A NEW PRESIDENT. A GREAT DEMONSTRATION—A NEW TYPE OF OVEN—ST MUNGO HALLS—TEAROOMS BURNED DOWN—MR M‘CULLOCH RETIRES; MR GERRARD ELECTED PRESIDENT—AN AMALGAMATION PROPOSAL—PURVEY AND CONTRACT DEPARTMENT—THE FIRST MOTOR VAN—A BREAD EXPERIMENT—PROPAGANDA AND PUBLICITY—UNEMPLOYMENT—THE EFFECT ON CO-OPERATION—CO-OPERATION THE REMEDY—SOME BUSINESS ITEMS—THE SOCIETY’S POSITION.