CHAPTER XIV.. Belfast Branch.

BELFAST BRANCH.

CO-OPERATION IN THE NORTH OF IRELAND—EARLY BAKING PROPOSALS—DISPUTE WITH LOCAL BAKERS—SCOTLAND TO THE RESCUE—A TEMPORARY BAKERY—EXPANDING TRADE—THE BAKERY COMPLETED—THE OPENING CEREMONY—GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT—GROCERS AS AGENTS FOR BREAD—EXTENSIONS NECESSARY—THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE—CONTINUOUS PROGRESS—A SERIES OF EXTENSIONS—SOME RETAIL SOCIETY FAILURES—HELP FOR DUBLIN STRIKERS—GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS—A REGRETTABLE ACCIDENT—THE FEDERATION’S GENEROSITY—THE WAR AND ITS EFFECTS—OATCAKE BAKING STARTED—THE BELFAST STRIKE—A TRADE UNION TESTIMONIAL—THE INFLUENCE OF THE U.C.B.S. ON IRISH CO-OPERATION.

The Co-operative movement in the North of Ireland is a plant of comparatively recent growth. In the early ’nineties of last century there were only some four or five retail societies in the whole North, and most of them were far from strong—so weak, indeed, that two of them afterwards went down. When they came under the control of the Co-operative Union they were placed under the wing of the Scottish Sectional Board, and that Board undertook a large amount of propaganda work which had the effect of strengthening the existing societies and of leading to the formation of new ones. Amongst those which were formed as the result of this propaganda zeal on the part of Scottish Co-operators the strongest which remain to-day are Armagh and Portadown, but the work of Co-operation in Lisburn and Belfast was strengthened materially by the propagandist efforts of the Scottish enthusiasts.

At that early period the society which then existed in Londonderry was probably the strongest in the whole of Ireland, and it was the first Irish society to become a member of the United Baking Society, but, unfortunately, the closing down at a later period of the work in which the majority of the members were employed led, indirectly at least, to its collapse. Another society which was only able to struggle on for a few years was that situated at Lurgan. Belfast was in a bad way. It had practically no capital and was carrying on by the aid of bank overdrafts. Nor at that time was Lisburn in much better case.

EARLY BAKING PROPOSALS.

Through the visits of Mr James Deans and of other Scottish propagandists the societies in the North of Ireland began to hear tales of the success which was attending the work of the Federated Baking Society in Glasgow, while in 1898 the Baking Society sent over Mr Petrie and one of the directors on a propaganda tour, with the view of opening up a business connection with the Irish societies. These gentlemen attended a meeting of the Irish Conference Association, and Mr Hamilton told the delegates something of the work which the Federation was doing, with the result that some good orders were received. It was as a result of this visit that Londonderry Society joined the Federation, to be followed in succeeding years by Lisburn and Belfast. It was as a result of this visit also that Mr M‘Culloch, President of the Baking Society, was invited to read a paper on “Federated Baking” at a conference which was held in Belfast in August of the same year. There was no immediate fruit from the reading of Mr M‘Culloch’s paper, but when, some years later, the private baking firms in the North of Ireland began to apply the screw to Irish Co-operators the proposals he had made were recalled and a deputation was sent over to seek help. Meantime the societies in Ireland were increasing in number and in strength. Lisburn had started into new life; Armagh and Portadown societies had been formed; and Belfast was making headway slowly but surely. Until this time little trade in bread had been done by the U.C.B.S. with the Irish societies, the bulky character of the commodity and the long distance from the centre militating against this, although for a time at least ’Derry Society had bread sent over in hampers.

DISPUTE WITH LOCAL BAKERS.

It was in 1903 that the private bakers in Ireland began to show their hostility to Co-operation. At first this hostility did not take the form of an absolute refusal to supply bread, but the equally effective one of reducing the discount allowed and at the same time refusing to undertake delivery. In Belfast the society was badly hit by this policy, and in their need they applied to the U.C.B.S. for assistance, asking them to supply the society with bread and at the same time to take into consideration the opening of a branch bakery in Belfast. Belfast Society followed up their letter by a deputation, and as a result of the interview the Bakery Board agreed to supply the society with bread in the meantime and also to lend them two vans to enable them to distribute the bread to their members.

At the June quarterly meeting of 1903 a Belfast deputation again attended to plead their cause with the delegates. Mr Gilchrist was their spokesman and made a lengthy statement, explaining the friction which had arisen between the society and the local baking firms and the steps which the society had taken to meet the difficulty. He stated that the membership and trade of the society were both increasing rapidly, and made a strong plea that the Federation should come to their help by planting a branch bakery in Belfast. The result was that power was given to the committee of the Federation to help Belfast Society in any way possible. One of Kinning Park delegates moved an amendment to the effect that power be not given, but this amendment did not meet with much support.

The result of this decision was that the Committee appointed a deputation to visit Belfast with the object of finding out the real position there and what buildings or land might be available for the planting of a branch. A bakery, consisting of two Scotch ovens and one draw-plate oven, together with the necessary bakery plant, had been discovered, and seemed a suitable place, while the price was £750, but it was ultimately decided that ere making an offer all the Irish societies should be consulted as to the best method of assisting Irish Co-operation under the circumstances. By the time the replies to the letters sent had been received, however, the Committee were informed that the bakery they had under consideration had been sold, with the result that the manager and secretary of Belfast Society were requested to supply particulars of other vacant sites, and particularly of open ground suitable for building on. When these reports came to hand they contained particulars of six different plots of ground, ranging from one acre to five acres in extent, and with prices ranging from £26 per acre to £60 per acre—the latter price, however, including the making of streets. With these reports before them the Committee decided to delay coming to any decision until after the question had been again before the quarterly meeting, but to go forward to the quarterly meeting with a recommendation that a branch be erected at Belfast.

SCOTLAND COMES TO THE RESCUE.

At this time the position in Belfast warranted fully the optimistic tone in which Mr Gilchrist had spoken three months earlier of its future. The society had been established for fourteen years and its sales were rather more than £30,000 a year. It was not their size, however, but the rapidity with which they were growing which led to the optimism of those who were responsible for the management of the society. In one year they had grown from £5,000 a quarter to £10,000 a quarter. From the one tiny branch in Shanklin Road the society had grown until it was now the owner of four branches, and the members continued to join the society in large numbers. All this the delegates had found out during their visit to Belfast, and they considered that the facts justified the recommendation they were making—that a branch should be established there.

In bringing the recommendation before the delegates the chairman stated that Belfast Society was purchasing at the moment from 400 dozens to 500 dozens of bread weekly, notwithstanding the fact that the bread was a day old before they received it. The membership of Belfast Society was 1,200, and was increasing rapidly, and both manager and committee were of opinion that the trade would be doubled if they had a bakery on the spot which could supply them with new bread daily. While a sum of £2,000 or £3,000 would be sufficient to erect a bakery which would meet present requirements, the idea of the Federation directors was that sufficient land should be acquired and they should build on a plan which would permit of expansion in the future. The directors, he concluded, were unanimously of opinion that not only would a branch bakery be of immediate service to Belfast Society, but that it would consolidate and strengthen the whole movement in the North of Ireland, while it could be established without any serious risk to the Federation. The motion that the proposal of the directors be approved was moved by Mr Duncan of Kinning Park, who had moved the rejection of the proposal to give assistance three months earlier, and the recommendation received the unanimous approval of the delegates.

Thus the fateful decision was taken—a decision which, as Irish Co-operators will be the first to acknowledge, was fraught with possibilities of immense good to Ireland, possibilities which have fructified into actualities as the years have passed. The decision strengthened the hands of Belfast Society at the moment, but it has done far more during the period which has intervened, for the powerful aid which the U.C.B.S. has been ever able and ever willing to render has made it possible for the Irish societies in the North, at a time when no one of them was overburdened with capital, to devote what capital they did possess to the extension of their businesses in other directions, secure in the knowledge that the staff of life was assured to their members for such period as they were able to make reasonable provision for the payment of the services thus rendered.

THE BAKERY.

Having secured the approval of the delegates for their proposals, the first duty which devolved on the directors was that of finding a suitable site. In order that all the members of the committee might be able to come to decisions with the fullest knowledge obtainable, they decided at the outset that they should visit Belfast in a body, and inspect the various sites of which they had information, meantime delaying the final decision. Eight different sites were examined, and, ultimately, the final decision rested between two of these, that at Ravenhill Avenue being the one which finally found favour, at a rental of £80 per annum. Mr W. J. Gililand, Belfast, was appointed architect, and was instructed to prepare plans for a temporary bakery, containing four ovens, to meet immediate needs, before proceeding with plans for the general building. At a later meeting it was decided that the delivery of the bread should be undertaken by Belfast Society, and that special terms should be arranged for this service. By January the temporary building had been commenced, and by the beginning of June was ready to begin operations. Mr George Forshaw, East of Scotland representative, was appointed commercial manager and Irish traveller, and Mr James Moffat, Belfast, foreman baker. Baking was begun on 2nd June, the temporary building having been fitted-up with one Scotch oven and three draw-plate ovens. Unfortunately, a dispute between the architect and the Corporation of Belfast had hindered the erection of the temporary bakery for a little, but, during a special visit paid to Belfast, Mr Young, manager, was able to arrange matters amicably. Nevertheless, the dispute cost the Society over £18 in legal and other expenses.

The area in which the Society’s bread was used soon began to widen. At first Belfast was practically the only customer, but in the course of a month or two society after society became customers, so that by the beginning of August there were five societies, in addition to Belfast, customers for bread. This good result was due to visits which had been paid by some members of the directorate to the committees of the societies. At the same time, Lurgan Society applied for membership and was admitted.

It was not until the middle of November that tenders for the completion of the main building were accepted, and then the committee had not finally made up their minds how much of the work they were going to complete at once, but reserved to themselves power to stop with the completion of the front section if they thought this plan desirable. When the matter was further considered in March, however, the committee were unanimously of the opinion that the building should be two storeys in height.

THE BAKERY COMPLETED.

Some of the difficulties which had worried the committee so much when the first section of the M‘Neil Street building was under construction manifested themselves again at Belfast, and it was found that it was not in Glasgow alone that builders were dilatory. The committee had hoped that the finished building would be ready for opening in September, but it was not until April of the following year that it was completed. The building erected contained provision for eighteen ovens on two floors; but at first only nine ovens were built on the ground floor, the upper floor being used for storage purposes. The ovens were of the draw-plate type, and amongst the machinery installed was an automatic dough-divider and handing-up machine, capable of weighing accurately 2,800 loaves per hour.

Elaborate arrangements were made for the opening ceremony, for truly it was a great day for Ireland. All the societies in the Federation were invited to send delegates to Belfast, and provision for their conveyance and comfort was made by the Baking Society. The U.C.B.S. band accompanied the party, and discoursed sweet music during the journey from Ardrossan to Belfast. After spending the hours of Sunday in whatever manner they felt inclined, the delegates were driven in brakes on the Monday morning to Ravenhill Avenue. The procession, for that is what it amounted to, attracted great attention as it drove through the streets of the city with bands playing. Doubtless, many of the good folks of Belfast wondered what all the noise was about, for at that time Co-operation had but a very small share in the commercial life of the commercial capital of the Green Isle, and it is quite likely that many thousands of the inhabitants of the city knew nothing of the momentous event which was going to take place that morning. To many of them Co-operation was only a word, the meaning of which they did not understand, and to many more even the word was unknown.

At the opening ceremony Mr James Bain, the secretary of the Federation, presided, and, in the short speech he delivered in introducing Mr Gerrard, who was to declare the premises open, he voiced the true spirit of Co-operation. Their meeting, he said, was a public assurance that wherever the brotherhood of Co-operation existed, no matter whether a society was in the throes of adversity or rejoicing in the hope of prosperity, they were ready to lend a helping hand in adversity or to share in the joys of prosperity. When the word had come to Scotland that their Celtic brothers were in need of assistance the U.C.B.S., in season and out of season, had done their best to give the needed help. He was glad that the request they had made had been so far acceded to, and that they were there on that glorious Easter Monday morning to witness its fruition. They looked forward to the new branch as a means of consolidating and advancing Co-operation not only in the North of Ireland but throughout the whole of Ireland. It was only their first branch, but they were looking forward to the time when they would have a great many more branches scattered over the whole of Ireland.

Mr Gerrard had presented to him a handsome gold key with which to open the door of the building. In declaring the premises open, he said they were that day marking an important epoch in the history of Co-operation. In Ireland distributive Co-operation could not be said to be flourishing like the green bay tree. On the contrary, its progress had been slow and its development difficult. In that the progress of the movement did not differ from its progress elsewhere. Everywhere there had been societies which were weak, but in Ireland, as elsewhere, those who constituted the membership had struggled heroically. Under difficulties and discouragements, before which many would have gone under, they had endeavoured to hold fast that which they had, and taking encouragement to themselves from their belief that the principle of associated effort for mutual benefit, which they represented but feebly, would ultimately be grasped by their fellow-countrymen and would work for their common good, they had struggled on.

Later in the day luncheon was served in the Y.M.C.A. Hall, after which more congratulatory speeches were delivered, the speakers including, besides Mr Gerrard, Mr Richardson (president of Belfast Society), Mr James Deans, Mr Duncan M‘Culloch, Mr Robert Fleming, Mr Alexander Hamilton, and others, after which the Scottish visitors joined the steamer again en route for home; which, however, many of them did not reach without discovering that “a life on the ocean wave” was not without its drawbacks.

The opening of the new bakery at once sent the trade up with a jump; so much so that, at the close of the half-year which ended in July, a profit of £550 was shown as compared with a profit of £116 for the half-year which ended in January. During the half-year 3,853 sacks were baked, an increase of 59 per week over the previous half-year, notwithstanding the fact that the large bakery had only been working for three months. From that time onward the output showed a practically continuous increase. The reasons for this were many. The Irish societies in the North were increasing in membership and strength, and new societies were being formed and were joining the Federation. Particularly was this increase in membership and strength notable in Belfast, where the movement has never looked back since the opening of the bakery. The quality of the bread had also something to do with the increase in trade. Before the temporary bakery had been long in existence the foreman sent samples of his workmanship to the Bakers’ Exhibition held in the Agricultural Hall, London, where he was successful in securing first and third prizes. This superiority in the quality of the bread baked has been maintained throughout the life of the branch. So superior, indeed, was the bread baked at Ravenhill Avenue that Belfast Society found their bread trade a useful feeder for their membership roll, customers joining the society as members for bread only at first, and gradually going on to the purchase of other goods until they became full-fledged members purchasing from every department.

The committee were assiduous in their endeavours to maintain and increase the sale of their products. Thus, when owing to lack of enthusiasm Banbridge Society gave up business, the Society decided to continue on the road the van which had been working for that society, employing the man who had done the work for the society, so that the bread connection might not be lost. So successful did this method prove that in a comparatively short time they were employing another horse and van as well. Their bread was becoming so famous in the North of Ireland that grocers in the outlying villages were anxious to become agents for it, and, after consideration, the committee agreed, with the proviso that this should not be done where there was a Co-operative society in the place.

In order that the delegates of the Irish societies might become familiar with the Society and its work the committee also invited the Irish Conference Association to hold their conference under the auspices of the Federation. So successful were all these means of propagating the sale of bread that, before the new bakery had been in operation for a year, the foreman baker was approaching the committee with a proposal for more oven accommodation.

The Society had given horses and delivery carts on loan to the societies when the bakery was started, but it was felt that this method of conducting the business was not satisfactory and could not be allowed to continue indefinitely, so letters were sent to the societies inviting them to a conference at which the whole question of delivery could be discussed. At this conference, which took place in July 1907, the board proposed that these horses and vans be handed over to the societies, the Federation, however, retaining a lien on them for three years so that, in the event of any society discontinuing the purchase of bread inside that time, the Federation could resume possession. It was also agreed that, in future, the Federation should deliver the bread at the place most convenient to each society, but that each society would be responsible for delivering the bread to its own members. This arrangement was approved by the representatives from the Irish societies who were present at the conference.

Already, at the beginning of 1907, the bakery was proving too small for the work which had to be done, and by the middle of the year it was decided to add three more ovens, while by the end of the year it had become necessary to extend the bakery, and it was agreed that this should be done, at a cost of almost £3,000. At the end of 1907, also, Mr George Forshaw resigned his position as manager of the branch, and Mr Duncan M‘Innes, who was in charge of the branch at Falkirk, was appointed manager in his place.

THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

The members of the board had now had almost a year’s experience of managing Belfast Branch, and had come to the conclusion that in order that the work should be carried on satisfactorily in every respect it was desirable that representatives of the local societies should be associated in the management. For this purpose they drew up a scheme for an advisory committee, to consist of three representatives of Irish societies. These proposals were approved by the delegates at the quarterly meeting, and were afterwards submitted to representatives of the Irish societies and approved by them. Mr Robert Fleming, Belfast, was appointed convener of the committee, and associated with him were Messrs Crook, Lisburn, and Palmer, Portadown. The constitution of the Advisory Committee was as follows:—

The committee shall consist of three members—one of whom shall act as convener and correspondent.

They shall be elected at a meeting of representatives of Irish societies to be summoned by the board of management in the month of July in each year. They shall hold office for two years.

Their duties, generally, shall be to supplement the efforts of the board of management in developing and consolidating the business of Belfast branch. To this end, they shall meet and confer with those members of the board who visit the bakery monthly. They shall keep in touch with the several societies in the Federation, and advise as to the most economical means of serving them. They must visit the societies when commissioned to do so by the board, and carry out any particular duties assigned to them—such as attending monthly meeting, conferences, verifying stocks, etc.

They shall be paid at the same rate as the members of the board of management doing the same work.

From time to time since then the constitution of the advisory committee has been amended and its membership added to. Very shortly after its formation it was increased to four members; in 1912 another member was added; and in September 1918 yet another, making the membership now six.

An important amendment of the constitution was made in 1912, when it was altered to the following:—

The committee shall consist of five members—chairman, secretary, and three society representatives.

They shall be elected at the annual meetings of representatives of federated Irish societies held in July of each year, and shall hold office for two years (societies shall be entitled to representation at such meetings in like proportion as to quarterly meeting immediately preceding). The chairman and one society shall be elected in alternate years with the secretary and two societies. If through death, resignation, or otherwise, a vacancy should occur in the case of an ordinary member, his society shall fill up the vacancy, and in the case of an official the committee shall have the power to fill up the vacancy from their own number, subject to the approval of the following general meeting.

Their duties generally shall be to co-operate with the board of management in developing and consolidating the business of the Belfast branch. A sub-committee, consisting of the secretary and one member (members of the committee attending in rotation for the purpose), shall be held not later than Thursday in each week except in such weeks as full meetings of the committee shall be held, as hereafter provided. They shall inspect the premises and plant, noting anything requiring attention of manager or board of management. They shall afterwards receive reports (on prescribed forms) from distributive and productive managers, who shall both be in attendance to supplement and explain verbally the reports submitted by them. The manager shall further report any complaints received, and the steps, if any, taken to remedy the matters complained of. He shall also report purchases made and any contracts entered into for supply of goods.

All correspondence from board of management or elsewhere bearing on the work of the branch shall be taken up and dealt with.

A copy of the minutes of each sub-committee meeting, with any recommendations the committee desire to make, shall be forwarded by the secretary to the board of management in time for consideration at the board’s weekly meeting held on Friday.

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Full meetings shall be held on the second and last Saturdays of each month or other convenient dates, three to form a quorum. Two representatives from the board of management shall attend one of these meetings. Cost and profit statements and statistics of trade with societies for previous month shall be submitted and considered at this meeting. Matters of general policy and questions remitted from board of management shall be discussed with visitors. Minutes of all sub-committee meetings shall be submitted for confirmation to next full meeting. Distributive and productive managers shall be in attendance at all meetings.

Appointments for stocktaking, quarterly meetings of the Federation, visits to societies, conferences, etc., shall be made and reports of same received at full meetings.

The manager shall consult the members of the advisory committee when it is possible to do so on matters requiring to be dealt with between meetings, but this general instruction shall not prevent him acting on his own initiative when circumstances demand an immediate decision.

They shall be paid at the same rate as the members of the board of management doing the same work.

In 1917 Mr R. Fleming, who had acted as convener of the advisory committee from its formation, was elected a member of the board of the C.W.S. This necessitated the resignation of his position on the advisory committee, which took effect at the annual meeting with the Irish societies in July of that year. Mr J. M‘Guffin, president of Belfast Society, was elected his successor, and the thanks of the Bakery board and of the Irish delegates were accorded to Mr Fleming for the work he had done for the branch. At the quarterly meeting of the Federation in Glasgow which was held in June Mr Fleming was present, and there also the thanks of the delegates were conveyed to him by the chairman in an appreciative speech, to which Mr Fleming made fitting response.

In 1918 there were some differences of opinion on questions of management between the advisory committee and the board of management, with the result that the advisory committee suggested resigning in a body from their offices. This course of action did not commend itself either to the board of management or to the delegates, and the cause of friction was removed by another alteration of the constitution of the advisory committee, which gave that body another member. The principal alteration, however, was contained in the following clause which was added to the paragraph in the 1912 constitution which dealt with “Duties”:—

“Should any difference arise between the committee and the board of management which cannot be adjusted by correspondence, a joint meeting of both bodies shall be convened, and the matter determined by their united vote.”

This clause has the effect of giving the Irish societies one third of the total representation on the board of management when matters affecting Ireland which are controversial in their nature are being discussed and, while maintaining that supremacy which is the right of the larger and more powerful section of the Federation, ensures that the case of Ireland shall be put and determined in an atmosphere in which the fullest consideration will be given to the arguments adduced.

CONTINUOUS PROGRESS.

Already the new bakery was becoming too small for the work, and in August 1908 it was agreed to complete the central portion of the building by the addition of other two storeys at a cost of £2,263. Just prior to this time, however, the committee felt compelled to dispense with the services of their foreman baker, and Mr W. H. Bell, who had been his assistant, was appointed in his place. For several years Belfast Society used the stable at the bakery for stabling their horses, while they were also permitted to erect a cart shed and a shoeing forge. Later this society erected stables, etc., for themselves on property adjoining the bakery, and the ground which had been occupied by them was utilised by the Federation for necessary extensions to the bakery.

By March 1909 the extended premises were ready for occupation. It was not long ere the directors were in the mortar tub again, however, for another extension costing almost £4,000 was entered on in the autumn of 1910; and not long after it was completed there came, in December 1911, an urgent request from the advisory committee for more ovens, and another extension, at a total cost of almost £5,000, was entered on and completed in 1912. These various extensions practically completed the bakery as it stands at present, except for alterations, minor in themselves, which were made from time to time during the war period with the object of increasing the working facilities.

In July 1909 the committee recorded their satisfaction that the average weekly sales from the bakery amounted to £1,219, while in March 1910 the weekly turnover had reached 500 sacks; and to meet the increasing demand three new ovens had to be erected. The Bakery continued to win prizes at the Agricultural Hall and other exhibitions, thus proving that Co-operative bread baking on a large scale was equal to producing bread of the finest quality.

Early in 1910 the directors were saddened by the news that one of the members of the first advisory committee, Mr Crook, of Lisburn, had passed away.

Although most of the societies in the North were doing well, there were one or two which were in a bad way. In 1908 Lurgan Society had to close its doors. The Federation were creditors to the extent of £114, and when settling day came it was found that the assets of the dead society were only capable of returning 1/6 in the pound. In 1910 Newry Society went the same way. The Federation were creditors to the extent of £200, and it was expected that the assets would realise 10/ per pound. In Newry the Federation made temporary arrangements to carry on the bread trade, as had been done in Banbridge, but after some time this course was abandoned.

Shortly after the new bakery was opened the two Dublin societies were in consultation with the committee of the Federation about the erection of a bakery, and the committee agreed to assist them. The two societies were unable to agree, however, and the idea of a federal bakery for Dublin was departed from. In 1910 Dublin Industrial Society erected a bakery for themselves, and the opening of this bakery was followed in a short time by the amalgamation of the two societies. The Dublin Society, however, experienced considerable difficulty in acquiring the knack of baking good bread—their position in this respect recalls some of the earlier experiences of the U.C.B.S.—and the Federation readily consented to Mr Bell or his assistant visiting Dublin to put them on right lines. In 1913, when the distress due to the strike was at its height in Dublin and the Trade Unions Congress was coming to the rescue with financial support, the Industrial Society received a contract for the supply of from 3,000 to 5,000 loaves daily. As they were unable to handle the contract in their own bakery they secured the assistance of the U.C.B.S. bakery in Belfast, which supplied them with the needed quantity of bread during the period covered by the contract. Later, during the period of the war, the Industrial Society was in considerable difficulty for a time, and those responsible for its management were exceedingly anxious that the U.C.B.S. should take over the bakery. This was not done, however, and fortunately the society was able to maintain and even to improve its position.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.

At the beginning of 1909 the Bakery secured a contract for the supply of bread and flour to Newtownards Barracks, and since then have supplied from time to time that Barracks, as well as those of Holywood, Belfast, and Kilroot, while, either directly or through local societies, they have been successful in securing contracts for various local institutions, one society during the war securing the contract for the Admiralty.

In 1912 the Society had loaned some motor lorries for an excursion, and during the day a painful accident took place whereby one child was killed and three others were severely injured. The Society’s motorman was completely exonerated from blame for the accident, but in token of their sympathy the Society paid the doctor’s fees and granted £55 to the relatives. In 1913 two of the societies were experiencing difficulty in selling the bread because of the unfair competition to which they were being subjected in attempts to cause them to give up the bread trade, but the Federation came to their assistance by allowing them a little additional discount on their purchases. In 1911 the Irish Agricultural Wholesale Society was appointed agent in Ireland for the Federation, and some time later it was stated that since that federation had become agent the trade had increased. At the Dublin Congress in 1914 the Federation erected a scone and oatcake baking plant as part of their exhibit in the Congress exhibition, and this exhibit was an object of much interest to the Dublin visitors to the exhibition.

THE WAR AND ITS EFFECTS.

In Ireland, as in Scotland, the commanding position of the U.C.B.S. had a steadying effect on the price of bread at the outbreak of war. The Society carried good stocks of flour, and by adopting the fixed policy of regulating the price of bread by the average price of the flour in stock was able to maintain the price at a lower level than the current price of flour warranted. In this way, while it was possible to maintain full stocks of flour, the Bakery was able to keep the price of bread at a halfpenny per 4–lb. loaf below the price at which other bakers wished to sell it, and so saved the people of the North many thousands of pounds.

The difficulties of transport were experienced by the branch, however, in a much more marked degree than by the parent body. All coal, flour, sugar, etc., used in the bakery had to be imported, and as transport costs went up so also did prices, until bread was being sold in Belfast at one shilling for the 4–lb. loaf. So short did the supply of coal become that in 1915 Belfast Corporation was unable to supply the Bakery with coke for firing purposes and a supply had to be sent over from Glasgow. Flour and sugar also became very scarce, but notwithstanding those facts the output of the Bakery continued to increase rapidly until the coming of Government Regulation flour, with its huge proportion of offal and other nastinesses, created a distaste for bread amongst the public. At the outbreak of war the output of the Bakery averaged 766 sacks per week, while by the end of 1916 this had risen to 892 sacks per week, an increase of 16½ per cent. in two and a half years. From then it gradually declined, until at the end of the 63rd quarter of the working life of the branch it was only 683 sacks per week. From that time and during the next six months the trade again increased, so that by the end of the period with which this history deals, although it had not reached the high-water mark of 1916, all the evidence went to show that that point would soon be left behind.

In 1918, with the object of relieving the congestion at M‘Neil Street, it was resolved to establish an oatcake baking department at Belfast, and for this purpose several hot-plates were transferred to the Belfast bakery, as well as several girls from the M‘Neil Street oatcake factory. This department has since proved a valuable adjunct to the branch, the plant having had to be augmented and the number of bakers employed increased.

Just at the end of the period Belfast became involved in one of the most widespread strikes in the history of the Labour movement, and practically all work except that of bread baking was brought to a standstill. The electricity workers of the Corporation came out on strike along with the other workmen, but fortunately for the branch it had a power-generating plant of its own, and so was able to continue at work. By this means the trade of the branch was materially increased. The fact that the Federation has always been willing to meet the requests of the employees in a reasonable manner has always enabled the branch to maintain its popularity with the Belfast workmen, and so impressed were the executives of the Operative Bakers’ Society with the fairness and even liberality of the committee that on one occasion an official letter was sent from the union in which the board of management were thanked for the assistance which their prompt action in agreeing to the request of the union for a shorter working week had been in enabling that concession to be imposed in the baking trade of the city.

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.