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Nulli Secundus—First Efforts
to Found a Wholesale—The Third Attempt —Success—“Our Society”—A Centre of
Co-operative Propaganda—The U.C.B.S1—“More Than Any Other in
Scotland”—Farming Association—Bo’ness Pottery—Tweed Mills—Seamill
Home—Inland Home—Laundry Association-—An Earlier Proposal—Proposed
Productive Fund.
“Men my brothers, men the
workers, ever reaping something new;
That which they have done hut earnest of the things that they shall do."
> —Tennyson.
“NULLI- SECUNDUS.”
IN collecting the material
for this book, the writer was early struck with the importance of the part
which Barrhead had played in the growth of the Scottish co-operative
movement. It was not merely the indirect value of the steady and prosperous
development of its own organisation as an integral part of the whole, but
directly as an inciting cause and guiding force in the establishment and
growth of the various co-operative efforts, which, at different times,
demanded something more than local support. Itself but a small Society, and
serving a comparatively trifling population, it yet played a notable part in
shaping the destinies of co-operation in Scotland. Indeed, we make bold to
say that, in respect to the greatness of its work and the number of notable
pioneer workers it' produced, Barrhead can claim a position of honour which
may be equalled but will not be surpassed by any society in the country. In
dealing with the information available for this section, two methods of
treatment suggested themselves. The material might have been woven into the
main texture of the Society’s story, and, used in that way, would doubtless
have added further interest to the preceding chapters; but the subject
seemed important enough, and the details interesting enough, to warrant the
formation of a separate and distinct section. This was the method finally
decided upon, and we trust the result will justify this manner of handling
the theme.
FIRST EFFORTS TO FOUND A
WHOLESALE SOCIETY
Almost from the first moment
of its birth, Barrhead Society showed itself possessed of a spirit of
willingness to join with its brothers in the greater co-operative movement
beyond its own territorial boundaries. Launched in June 1861, it was ready
in November of the same year to take its part in the proposed formation of a
wholesale society for Scotland, and on the second of that month two
committeemen—John Bell and Thomas M'Cowatt—were appointed to attend a
meeting called to consider the question. This effort was fruitless, or
apparently so. But one Barrhead man at least was determined not to let the
idea die, and when, in 1863, Mr John MTnnes issued from Barrhead the first
Northern co-operative newspaper (The Scottish Co-operator), one of the
earliest duties to which he set his hand was the creation and nourishment of
an agitation for a wholesale society. In the issue of his paper for December
1863 there is a suggestion for a conference on this subject; and in the
issue for January 1864 a letter writer proposes that a district meeting,
compri'sing Barrhead, Thornlie-bank, Pollokshaws, and Paisley societies,
should be held. Finally, as a result of this agitation of the question, a
joint meeting is held, at which Barrhead is duly represented, and a
committee, chiefly of the Glasgow delegates, is appointed to consider the
subject and report. Of this second attempt, as of the first, there was no
practical outcome, the proper moment—or more probably the right man—not
having yet arrived. Fully a year later (in June 1865), an indignant
correspondent writes to the Scottish Co-operator demanding information as to
the committee “ appointed twelve months ago,” and “ of which,” he says, “
nothing has yet been heard.” In a footnote to this letter, the editor (Mr
M'Innes) says: " Communications on this subject have of late been very
numerous and from all quarters, but we are sorry that we cannot throw any
light on the matter. The question of a wholesale depot was first commenced
by correspondence in our columns. Ultimately it attracted so much attention
that a meeting was called of delegates from a large number of societies
throughout Scotland. To that meeting the promoters did not invite us. The
effect of the meeting appeared to us hopeful of good results, but in this we
have been disappointed. A committee was appointed, but the work seems to
have ended with its appointment. If the question—and a very proper one it
is—is again to be revived, the carrying out of the preliminaries must be
placed in other hands. It is a pity the former effort has been so
unmercifully burked.”
A THIRD ATTEMPT
This attitude is supported in
subsequent issues of the paper by Mr Borrowman, of Crosshouse (afterwards
manager of the Wholesale), and by other writers. The editor himself returns
to the subject in the July and August issues; and on the 2nd of September
1865, on his invitation, a meeting of delegates Was held at Barrhead, in the
office of the Scottish Co-operator, at what is now 175 Main Street. We can
well believe the statement made by some of those present that the
arrangements for the meeting were of the most primitive kind, and that the
delegates had no prearranged programme of business laid before them. But,
however humble the meeting-place, and however informal the proceedings,
here, in the back premises of a little Barrhead printing office—if those
present could have known it—was the birth-chamber of the now gigantic
Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society. The societies represented at this
meeting were Barrhead, Crosshouse, Paisley Equitable, Paisley Provident,
Paisley Manufacturing, St Rollox, Hamilton, Port-Glasgow, Edinburgh, and
Renfrew. Mr Borrowman was called to the chair, and Mr M'Innes was appointed
secretary. After full discussion, the meeting resolved to proceed further;
but the delegates were apparently anxious not to give offence, or to seem as
if they were usurping duties which had been placed in other hands, and so Mr
M'Innes was instructed to write the 1864 committee and request it to call a
general meeting of Scottish societies, with a view to the establishment of a
wholesale society.
The newly-appointed secretary
carries out his commission, but only after many letters have been written
does he receive definite information to the effect that the committee
appointed in 1864 has done nothing, and can do nothing now, as “ most of the
members then appointed have become widely scattered and some of them gone
abroad.” This correspondence and other preliminaries consumed time, and the
next delegate meeting is not held till the beginning of the following year
(1865). The few months thus passed have not, however, been wasted, for, by
word and pen, Mr Borrowman and Mr MTnnes and Mr John Paton, of •Barrhead,
have been propagating their ideas throughout the country. From March onwards
meetings of the delegates are regularly held. The seed so assiduously sown
has taken root and now begins to germinate, and by the month of June there
is a larger conference, at which thirty different societies are represented.
At this meeting the indefatigable editor-secretary reports that he has
corresponded with 120 societies, and many of these he has personally visited
on the subject. We are now in the very thick of the arrangements, and
finally another grand conference is held in Glasgow on New-Year’s Day 1868.
Replies favourable to the formation of the Wholesale Society, and urging
immediate action, had been received from twenty-six societies, and of these
perhaps the most hopeful and encouraging is the one from Barrhead. "The
circular,” says this letter, “has not yet been laid before the members, but
the committee are unanimous in its favour; and, as an evidence of their
approval of the principle, they have taken shares in the North of England
Wholesale Society, and during last six .months, purchased from it to, the
extent of £900,” The day following the Glasgow conference. (2nd January), a
similar .meeting was held in Edinburgh. Resolutions to proceed were adopted
at both meetings, and at the Edinburgh one a special vote of thanks was
accorded to the .secretary,, Mr M'Innes; “ for the excellent statistics laid
before them and the amazing amount of correspondence he had undertaken,”
SUCCESS. ,
At a later date, Messrs
Borrowman and M'Innes are deputed to visit the English Wholesale, and on
their return everything is at last in order for a start. As evidence of the
fact that Mr M'Innes was the real “ head-centre ” of this effort, and
illustrative of the power which he possessed, we may quote the following
from his retrospect of the proceedings up to the point at which they had now
arrived, namely, the appointment of a managing committee, for the new
Wholesale. He had exceptional means of knowing the outstanding men of the
movement,, and the first committee and officers were, elected entirely on,
his recommendation. “In concluding this statement,” he said, “I hope,I will
not be considered impertinent or dictatorial if I offer a few remarks on
what your first committee should be. It would be a hazardous experiment to
vote your committee without knowing something of the individual merits and
general character of those appointed, as I believe you will all be more or
less ignorant of the fitness or unfitness of those now present, from the
fact of your being to one another , comparative strangers. The chief
characteristic of fitness for such a position is thoroughness in the
principle and honesty and zealousness in promoting it. You must avoid the
appointment of those who are specious and plausible professors, whose whole
interest is bound up in making a society subservient to the gaining of some
end. Let none of your committee, if you can avoid it, be of those who are
co-operators merely for personal ends ; if you do, such persons will
sacrifice your interest and ruin or jeopardise the success of your society.
Let your committee be men who have faith in the principle they profess, who
are shrewd and zealous in carrying it out, and whose character will produce
confidence in the members.” No more admirable catalogue of the
qualifications required in a co-operative committeeman could be given than
is contained in these sentences. For the reasons thus stated, Mr M'Innes
recommended a list of office-bearers which had been approved by the
promotion committee, and urged the delegates to accept this list in its
entirety. The delegates were wise enough to do so, and doubtless the early
success of the Wholesale was in large measure due to Mr M'Innes’s careful
selection. The committee thus proposed included Mr Merrylees, Kilmarnock,
chairman; Mr Borrowman, Crosshouse, manager; and Mr John Allan, Barrhead,
secretary.
“OUR SOCIETY”
Thus from the first
conception of the idea of the Scottish Wholesale until it is safely
launched, Barrhead has taken its full share in the early work, and can point
with pride to the fact that the man, who above all others is responsible for
its creation, is a Barrhead man, and that the responsible duties of its
first secretary is placed in the hands of another Barrhead member. This is
surely a worthy record, and that it stirred pride in the heart of Mr M'Innes
is evident by the many laudatory references he makes in the Scottish
Co-operator to “ our Society." Thus it is with apparent gusto that he
writes, when reviewing the third quarterly balance-sheet of the Wholesale
Society: “our Society (Barrhead) is easily first in the matter of
purchases;” and shortly after this when Barrhead resolves to lend the
Wholesale “ another £100,” the editor breaks into a further paean of praise.
“ Barrhead’s healthy co-operative spirit,” he says, " is illustrated by
their resolve. This is prudent, far-seeing wisdom, as it ensures a return of
five per cent., and it further enables the Wholesale Society to enter the
markets with an increased money power. The step is also creditable to the
members as showing their confidence in co-operation, unlike those miserable
specimens of professed co-operators who are forever whining about safe
investments—a set of bugbears to be found in every society, and who, when
they find their way to the management, are generally ‘ losing battles
gathering straws,’ until they drive their society into difficulties.” This
whole-hearted support by Barrhead Society both in the matter of purchases
and capital was in direct contrast to that of many societies, some of which,
“ refused to sink money in that speculation, but might go in at some future
time.” These others did go in when the success of the Wholesale was assured
; but the honour of achieving that success belongs to the pioneer societies
which boldly risked their capital and gave their loyal support when capital
and support were most needed. It need only be added here that in all its
attitude towards the Wholesale in those early days Barrhead remained
consistently, and whole-heartedly steadfast. When the squaring' up. of the
preliminary expenses is reached, the committee asks the stun of one
halfpenny per member for this purpose. Barrhead at the following quarterly
meeting decides that this is inadequate, and generously votes one penny per
member. Whereupon the heart of the editor again rej pices, and he says : “
We endorsa this, belief and heartily , rejoice that our Society, without
any. influence brought to bear on it, has given so spontaneously and so,
handsomely. This is true public spirit. The Society always gives heartily to
the general movement, and it seems the more it gives the more it gets.”
Before taking our leave of. the Wholesale, it may be worth noting that at
the conclusion: of his labours , as its chief promoter Mr MTnnes. was
rewarded with a vote of thanks! At ,one, of the meetings it was stated that
he had not received a tenth part of his postages and travelling expenses. At
a later date, however,, this was to some extent remedied, and a testimonial
was started as a recognition of his services. The money thus raised reached
a total of, over £60, which at, best must be regarded as a meagre monetary
return for, all his labours. Doubtless the knowledge that he had so securely
laid the foundations of this notable addition to the edifice of co-operation
was in itself a sufficiently great reward. A further propf of Barrhea.d’s
close connection with the early days of the Wholesale may be noted. in the
fact that nearly all the work for the first, building in Paisley Road, after
the removal from Madeira Court, was entrusted to Barrhead tradesmen. The
building,. plumberwork, and painterwork were some, pf the sections for which
local contractors were responsible, and there are still with us some
prominent members of. the Society who were employed at the construction of
the building.
CO-OPERATIVE PROPAGANDA
Another great service which
Barrhead (did. for the co-operative movement at this time was the providing
of it with its general propaganda. It is of this period that Mr William
Maxwell, in his " History of St Cuthbert’s Association,” says: " Barrhead
was recognised at this time as a propaganda centre for co-operation.” For
this work twp men, Messrs John M'Innes and John Paton, were chiefly
responsible. The former, as we have seen, was-editor of the Scottish
Co-operator. The paper itself was a great instrument for propaganda, and, in
addition, Mr M'Innes, although not a very effective speaker, was always
ready to give his services as lecturer. Mr J ohn Paton, as is well known,
was an orator of a very high type, and although he is best remembered by his
work for temperance, it was in defence and propagation of co-operation that
he began his public career. For about ten years, onward from 1862, he was
indeed the " apostle ” of .co-operation in Scotland, and travelled far and
wide preaching the new gospel. Almost every issue of the paper for a time
contains reports of his lectures or a list of places he has visited. The
reports given are, of course, only abbreviated sketches, but they suffice to
indicate in many cases the virility of expression and the clarity of thought
for which the speaker was afterwards noted. Referring to one of Mr Paton’s
co-operative lectures, a writer describes it as "a rich intellectual treat,
and, displayed a thorough knowledge of the question conveyed by persuasive
eloquence, and although the lecture was deeply philosophical, yet the
language was so plain that all must have understood its meaning.” Of another
of Mr Paton’s lectures it is said: “ The address was a treat of no ordinary
kind, and was worthy the cause and the occasion. It showed that the speaker
was a great thinker and an eloquent exponent of his thoughts." This work of
propaganda, although it produced no dividends, was of great value to the
movement in Scotland.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE U.C.B.S.
With the assured success of
the Wholesale, a desire for further co-operation on the federated principle
had shown itself, and as bread was dear it was most natural that the
societies should turn their attention to baking. In this, Barrhead, with
some of the Glasgow societies, is again to to the fore. Indeed, at the
quarterly meeting in August 1868, before the Wholesale had actually started
business, Barrhead decided to issue invitations for a meeting to discuss the
project, but only three other societies responded to the call. At a second
meeting, held in Glasgow in October, thirteen societies were represented,
and of these six, including Barrhead, intimated that they were ready to
federate for baking purposes. The Barrhead delegate (Mr James Ferguson) was
elected to the first management committee. In February 1869 the local
Society paid over the sum of £45 to the Bakery committee, and when they were
ready to start business in June it was to Barrhead the committee came for
their first manager—Mr Robert Sturrock. From the commencement Barrhead stood
loyally by the new effort, and as speedily as possible it weaned its members
from the purchase of bread froM other sources, and directed its entire trade
to the U.C.B.S. The first year of the Baking Society was a troubled one, and
success was not easily attained. But although it certainly did not prosper
under the care of its first manager, it replaced him, in 1872, with another
Barrhead man, Mr Robert Craig, who admittedly made order out of its chaos,
and set it on the high road to success. In this spirit of loyalty Barrhead
continued its connection with the U.C.B.S. for a number of years, until a
resolution to establish a branch at Johnstone or Paisley created local
opposition, and set the Barrhead committee upon thoughts of doing its own
baking. In 1877 this ended in the Society building its own bakery.
“MORE THAN ANY OTHER IN
SCOTLAND.”
The Wholesale Society and the
United Baking Sbciety are two outstanding examples of successful federative
action ; but in addition to these the Society had also invested money in
other undertakings of a co-operative character, only some of which were
successful. These included the Paisley Manufacturing Society, the Cooperage
Company, Oak Mill, and the Co-operative Iron Works. It was this willingness
to help forward the general co-operative movement which enabled the
chairman, Mr John Allan, at the ninth annual soiree, in October 1870, to
declare : “ We cannot boast of our sales being anything like the turnover of
some societies, but we do feel proud to know that we have more money in the
societies that are established for the higher stages of co-operative
development than any other society in Scotland, and this is the real test of
sound co-operative consistency.”
FARMING ASSOCIATION
The next really important
productive effort was that of the Farming Association. The idea of working
the land is a most attractive one to most people, and in the early eighties
a section of the Scottish co-operative movement was eager to enter upon
agriculture. Considering the large and immediate outlet which co-operation’s
great distributive agencies provides for the products of the soil, it seems
easy (theoretically) to make farming pay. As a matter of fact, however, the
results have never quite realised expectations ; but there are still many
who are impatient at the failure or partial failure which has so far
followed co-operative efforts in this direction. When the Scottish Farming
Association was launched, in 1885, it was under auspices that were by no
means unfavourable. There was a fair amount of capital, the ■experiment was
on an adequate scale, and there was little difficulty in finding a market
for its goods. Nevertheless, in spite of all these advantages, the
association was a failure. Three of its five farms were in the Nitshill
district, and it was only natural that our Society should support it by
buying its products as freely as possible. At the first appeal for funds,
fifty shares of one pound were taken. This was increased at a later date to
£100 and then to £200, and in February 1895 £500 was given to the
association on loan. The association went into liquidation in 1897, and
eighteen months later a “ first and final ” dividend of 6/2£ per £ on loan
capital was paid. The share capital was swallowed up in its entirety, so
that not only did the idea of co-operative fanning suffer a serious setback,
but there was a heavy financial loss as well.
BO'NESS POTTERY
A similar fate befell the
Bo’ness Pottery, which started business a few years later than the Farming
Association. Into the reasons for that failure we need not enter—even if we
could. Different observers have assigned different reasons, but the fact
itself is undeniable that the pottery was a failure, and swallowed up a lot
of good money. Ever ready to help, Barrhead took shares, although only to
the extent of £75, and it sent on to the pottery all the orders it could
muster. When the Pottery was wound up, in 1893, every penny thus invested
was lost.
TWEED MILLS
A much more successful effort
was the Selkirk Tweed Mills, into which Barrhead put £150. The mills did a
fairly good trade, and in 1896 were taken over as a going concern by the
Wholesale Society.
SEASIDE HOMES
A very different, type of
undertaking was that which next engaged attention. In 1890 the members of
the Ayrshire and Renfrewshire Conference Associations jointly determined
upon the erection of convalescent homes for the West of Scotland. In July
1891, and again in August, representatives waited upon the Barrhead members
at their monthly meetings, and advocated the erection of the Homes at West
Kilbride. The visitors in July were Messrs Deans and Flockhart, and in
August Messrs Flockhart and Inglis, and as a result of their appeal a first
donation of £100 was voted. This was added to from time to time, and in all
£300 was given, in addition to various sums voted to cover the cost of
material wrought by members of the women’s guild for bazaars held in 1893
and in 1900. Over and above these sums there were, of course, contributions
from individual members. The value of the Seamill Convalescent Homes to the
members of co-operative societies is fully appreciated by those who have
benefited from a stay within its hospitable and kindly walls. From year to
year the Society contributes generously to the funds of the Home, and the
admission tickets placed at the disposal of the committee are distributed as
carefully as possible amongst applicants who may be in need of the rest and
change which the Home provides.
INLAND HOMES
A few years after the
erection of Seamill, an agitation was begun by the societies in the East of
Scotland for the opening of another convalescent home, which should be more
conveniently placed for members within their area. In February 1901 our
Society voted £20 to the funds, and by and by when the committee in charge
had decided to purchase “ Abbotsview,” on the Tweed, for the purpose of
establishing an inland home there, two further sums of £20 were also
granted. Assistance was also given in connection with a bazaar which was
promoted to increase the funds; and, at a later date, when the Renfrewshire
Conference decided to furnish a bedroom at “ Abbotsview,” Barrhead voted a
further small sum towards this object. Members in need of a change have now
a choice of these two Homes. Those who have spent a time at Abbotsview speak
in the highest terms of the Home and its surround it? gs, but, as is quite
natural, it is not nearly so popular with Western patients as the nearer
seaside home at West Kilbride.
OLEHOUSE PROPERTY, NEILSTON. Erected 101O.
LAUNDRY ASSOCIATION
Although'it had helped so
assiduously in the promotion of productive concerns for other districts,
Barrhead had to wait until the year 1897 before it was favoured with the
establishment of one within its own territory. And even then this new effort
was largely the outcome of the local Society’s energy and capital. We noted
in an earlier chapter that a notable result of the traders’ boycott in
1895-6 was an increase in the enthusiasm and activity of co-operators. It
has been said that the Laundry Association was one of the direct fruits of
this externally-created interest, and it is quite probable that the stirring
up which co-operators then received had something to do with the decision to
proceed upon this new venture. The idea to begin with was entirely a
Barrhead one, and the first proposal was that the Society should start a
laundry of its own. It was soon realised that something more than the
support of one society would be necessary if success was to be attained, and
the promoters at once set themselves to the tapping of a wider area for
sympathy and support. Successful appeals were made to the Renfrewshire,
Ayrshire, and Glasgow and Suburbs Conference Associations, and it was under
their auspices that the laundry was finally started. An earnest and
hardworking committee was got together, and no stone was left unturned in
their efforts to secure the necessary capital to begin with. The first
response from other societies was distinctly cautious. In February 1897
Barrhead had applied for 400 shares, but in July of the same year the total
capital subscribed only amounted to £945. Nevertheless, the committee were
satisfied with the prospects, and ground having been secured in Barnes
Street, plans were prepared, building was proceeded with, and business
commenced in June 1899. The total share and loan capital subscribed to this
time was only £1,291, and the buildings and plant had cost considerably over
£2,000, so that it is manifest that only the courage and faith of the
committee carried them through, and finally secured the success at which
they aimed.
Restricted as they were by a
shortage of capital, it is no wonder that the first few quarters of the
Laundry Association’s working resulted in loss. The preliminary expenses
were heavy, and to meet the accounts of the various tradesmen a bond on the
property for £960 had to be obtained from the Wholesale Society. At a later
date the Barrhead Society backed its opinion by advancing another £500 on
loan to the struggling committee. This was in May 1900, and it may be
regarded as the turning-point in the association’s battle against adversity.
Prosperity was not attained at once, but slowly trade began to increase and
the adverse balances to disappear, until in June 1902 an actual, though
small, profit was declared. A couple of years later the entire deficit was
wiped out, and since then the Barrhead loan has been repaid and the
Wholesale Society’s bond wiped out. In 1905 the association began paying
dividend on all trade done, and it has continued to do so ever since. Trade
continues to increase steadily, and from time to time additions and
alterations have been made, to cope with this growth in an adequate fashion.
French-cleaning, carpet-cleaning, dyeing, and other branches have been
added, and, although the amount of work is now greatly beyond the first
hopes of the committee, they are still in a position to undertake very much
more than they are receiving. The association covers a wide area in its
search for work, and besides the goods received and despatched per rail it
has now 15 horses and vans daily engaged in the collection and distribution
of parcels in the Glasgow and Paisley districts. Presently the laundry
employs a staff of 169, of whom 37 are males and 132 females.
Mr M'Intosh, of St George
Society, was the first president, but Mr Robert Campbell, of the Barrhead
Society, succeeded Mr M'Intosh in February 1901, and has been chairman of
the association ever since. To Mr Campbell probably more than to any other
single individual is the start and ultimate success of the laundry due, and
his and its friends will hope that he may be long spared to pilot it through
the smooth waters, as he helped to guide it through the rough. Mr Robert
Colquhoun acted as secretary to the committee from its inception, and now
fills with acceptance the position of cashier. Mr A. G. Shannon, who was the
manager first appointed, is still at his post, and retains the confidence of
the managing committee.
PROPOSED PRODUCTIVE FUND
With this account of the
Laundry Association our story of Barrhead’s support to the general
co-operative movement might close, but we cannot leave the subject without a
reference to a motion brought forward at a meeting of the Society, in August
1899, by Mr Gavin Pinkerton. Mr Pinkerton moved that the Society agree to
put aside a small sum from quarter to quarter to form the nucleus of a fund
to be used for productive purposes.
“He did not wish,” he said,
“that this Society should act alone, but that an effort should be made to
induce conferences to take up the idea, so that the funds would be ready
when new productive concerns had been decided upon in suitable localities,
and thus avoid the wearisome search for capital which had so recently
hampered the Laundry Association.” Mr Robert Murray, jun., seconded, and the
motion was carried by a majority against the previous question. The idea
seems a useful one, and worth commending to the notice of societies; but no
further steps in the direction suggested by Mr Pinkerton appear to have been
taken.
We started this chapter by
making a bold claim on behalf of our Society, and we think it will be
admitted that sufficient has been said to justify the claim that Barrhead in
this matter is entitled to adopt as its motto: Nulli Secundus—“ Second to
None.”
FOUR PROMINENT OFFICERS. |
