We know full well the high cost of distribution, and some are sanguine the productive cost could also be lessened; could not this sum, then, of £200, or say £300, required for storage purposes be laid out on a branch bakery in the Johnstone district, and take away a third of the trade from the centre; you would then have storage to suit your requirements for some time to come, very probably you would be less for productive expenses, and most certainly your cost of distribution would be so much curtailed as to release the Federation from the incubus which at present keeps her down. Gentlemen, our aim and earnest desire is the prosperity of the Federation and its component parts; we lay these considerations before you and leave the matter in your hands, being confident your united wisdom will be well able to direct the path which will earliest and best lead to better and happier times for the United Co-operative Baking Society. THE JOHNSTONE SOCIETY’S COMMITTEE. Johnstone, _21st February 1873_. At that time it would seem that the representatives of all the societies were enamoured with the idea of branching out, especially in view of the very rosy picture which had been presented in the Johnstone Society’s report, but they realised that at the moment branching out was impossible. The Federation’s commitments in capital expenditure were already as much as could be borne; the cost of building a new bakery would add considerably to the burden, and neither delegates nor directors could see how it could be carried; so, when the subject was brought up again at the June quarterly meeting, it was left in the hands of the committee, with the proviso that no extension take place until a general meeting of the members had been called. The proposal, however, had never been one which was pleasing to Barrhead Society. Immediately after the remit to Johnstone Society and the Paisley societies to collect information, a deputation from Barrhead had waited on the Bakery committee, and, after pointing out that the capital of the Society was far from being what it ought to be, they said they had been instructed by their committee to state that they considered it inexpedient in the meantime to proceed with the proposed branch at either Paisley or Johnstone because of the plant and other necessaries which would be required and which the funds of the Federation were not in a position to meet. It was owing to the determined opposition of the Barrhead and Thornliebank delegates and the strength of their argument that the capital of the Society was insufficient for the enterprise, that the Johnstone scheme was held over.