History of the United Co-operative Baking Society Ltd. : $b A fifty years' record 1869–1919Reid, William
History
History of the United Co-operative Baking Society Ltd. : $b A fifty years' record 1869–1919
Reid, William
United Co-operative Baking Society, Ltd., Glasgow
At one time there was trouble with Kinning Park Society of a peculiar
kind. The committee of that society sent a letter to the Baking
Society’s committee, in which it was stated that the impression in that
society was “That if a situation is wanted in the Bakery, the most
effective way to secure it is to denounce Co-operation, and the Kinning
Park Society in particular.” The board, in discussing this letter,
expressed the opinion that it was a matter with which they had nothing
to do. It was no business of theirs where their employees did or did not
purchase their goods. This sound business rule is one which is still in
operation in all well-regulated societies. At the same time, it must be
admitted that when a man is working for a principle as well as for a
livelihood, his work is likely to be better done. There are still
workers in the movement, however, who, while professing to work for it,
treat it worse than they would be allowed to treat a private employer,
by denying it the efficient, loyal, and painstaking service which they
would be compelled to render for wages alone. No more was heard of
Kinning Park complaint. The terms of the letter were probably an
exaggeration of whatever grievance there was.
FURTHER EXTENSIONS.
For some years the fluctuations in the trade of the Society had been
such that further extensions had been unnecessary, but, by the end of
1882, the congestion had become so great that it was necessary that
further baking accommodation should be procured at an early date. This
raised a debate as to the respective merits of increasing the oven
accommodation at St James Street or putting down a branch bakery at
Greenock to supply the societies in that area. The societies in the
Greenock and Port-Glasgow area were all members of the Federation, but
there were both difficulty and expense entailed in sending the bread
from Glasgow, and, especially in winter, when there was fog on the
river, there was occasionally irritating delay. The result of the debate
was that a committee was appointed to consider the different schemes and
report.
When the special committee reported on the various points which had been
remitted to them to discuss there was considerable difference of opinion
amongst the members of the Bakery board as to which was the best plan to
adopt. Finally, on a vote being taken, it was agreed, by a majority, to
recommend to the general meeting the erection of a branch bakery in
Greenock. When the question came before the delegates at the quarterly
meeting, however, the scheme for a branch in Greenock was not adopted,
and it was decided to proceed with the erection of two additional ovens
at St James Street.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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