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| The Rushden Echo 7th August, 1903 | |||
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Rushden Co-operative Society's New Store |
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GRAND OPENING CEREMONY |
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GRAND PROCESSION
The proceedings commenced with a grand procession round the town at one o’clock. The processionists assembled at the Wellingborough-road and headed by the Rushden Volunteer Band, paraded the town through Wellingboro’-road, The Oakley, Midland-road, High-street, Queen-street, Cromwell-road, Newton-road, Park-road, Harborough-road, and High-street South to the Stores. Mr. A. Willmott headed the procession on horseback and was followed by the Rushden Volunteer Band playing spirited marches. Next came a number of prominent local co-operators on foot and then a long array of trade vehicles and carriages, about twenty in number. In the first carriage was seated the veteran Co-operator, Mr. G. J. Holyoak and the other speakers of the day and others contained members of the Committee, the society’s employees, etc. Many of the vehicles were tastefully decorated and were laden with trophies of the society’s goods. Nearly all bore striking mottoes and the procession as a whole was very striking. The various stores were decorated, as were also the houses of a number of the members, with flags, etc. The scene at the new Stores when the processionists arrived was a very animated one. A great crowd had assembled, the whole of the roadway being blocked for some distance on each side of the buildings. It was impossible for vehicles to pass, but this had been foreseen, and by the permission of the Urban Council the traffic was stopped during the opening ceremony from Coffee Tavern-lane to the Post-office. A temporary platform had been erected in front of the store, and on it the speakers took their stand. Mr. W. J. Cure, secretary, presided and was supported by Councillor J. Hornsby, president of the society, Mr. G. J. Holyoak, Mr. G. Hawkins (chairman of the London Branch of the C.W.S.), Mr. F. Maddison (ex M.P. for Sheffield) and a large number of the committee members of the society, and delegates from nearly all the societies in the surrounding district, many coming from a distance. THE OPENING CEREMONY In opening the proceedings, the Chairman said he had been greatly honoured by being asked to preside over that gathering. The Rushden Society had had several events of a similar character but none more important than the one they were engaged in. It was a big day for Rushden and Rushden people. They had with them their venerable friends, Mr. Holyoak – (cheers) – besides other speakers, and he himself would not occupy their time long. The building in front of which they stood was a tribute to the thrift of the Rushden Co-operators. A great deal had been done in the country to stamp out the co-operative movement, but the attempts had not succeeded, and co-operators meant to go forward. (Cheers.) The workers of the town and of the country generally held in their hands a great amount of power. They heard a good deal lately about old age pensions. The Government were going to provide them - (laughter) – but they would do better to provide them for themselves in connection with the co-operative movement. That movement stood not merely for the dividend but for the interests of education and intellectual advancement. Co-operators were taking an active interest in local and Parliamentary affairs, and they were spending £66,000 in education, and thought they ought to have some voice in public affairs. The Government had refused to do anything with the tyranny exercised over the workers in South Wales, but CO-OPERATORS HAD SOLVED THE DIFFICULTY by establishing co-operative quarries. Co-operators were trying to make themselves independent and to help their fellows. (Hear, hear.) He concluded by inviting those present who were not members of the society to join at once and experience the benefits of the movement. Mr. George Hawkins then addressed the gathering. He said he had known the Rushden Society in cloudy days as well as in sunshine and he had been much struck by the enterprise of the society. He thought they would agree that where the co-operative society extended their work they improved the condition of the people all round. Their auditor had assured him that the position of the society was never better. The moral of their gathering that day was conveyed by the motto on one of the vehicles in their procession – “Be up to date, and join the store.” (Hear, hear.) Co-operators were trying to bring commerce up to a higher level, to make it purer, and to kill sweating. (Cheers.) Referring to the erection of the C.W.S. shoe factory at Rushden, he said that factory was not only an attempt to make trade better but to improve the condition of the workmen. He concluded by saying that the mission of the speakers that day was to remind Rushden co-operators of their new responsibilities. That building had cost a lot of money and increased trade was necessary to keep it going. Therefore, they must feed the store with custom and clothe it with trade. (Cheers.) Mr. F. Maddison, who was introduced as “an old friend at Rushden,” congratulated them very heartily on the evidence before them of the growing intelligence of the Rushden workmen. The impartial historian of the last century could not fail to record that in no direction was the growth of intelligence among working-men so apparent as among the members of co-operative societies. That building should be regarded as something like the realisation of that REIGN OF DEMOCRACY for which their friend, Mr. Holyoak, worked before they were born. They could depend upon it that democracy could not feel its power without capital. Democracy, unless brought into industry, was a failure. They must not only have the power to vote, but must also have the right to enter into trade and commerce. They had skill of eye and hand, and why should they be kept out of the commerce of the world. He had no fault to find with the private trader for he respected every honest man, but he claimed the same indulgence for co-operators. They were fortunate in Rushden in having an intelligent public opinion. Rushden was quite an oasis in the desert in the time of that wretched South African war – (cheers) - because they had thought out the problem for themselves and had realised that empire did not consist in territory but in the majesty and purity of its people. (Cheers.) It consisted in the power of a people who had grown richer not merely in money but in intelligence to work out their salvation in fear and trembling but with a certainty of victory. (Cheers.) Mr. Cooper, the architect, on behalf of his firm, handed to Mr. Hornsby a silver key to open the side door of the building. Before doing so, he briefly referred to the building and said they had done the best they could with a difficult site. He expressed his great satisfaction with the courtesy and kindness shown to his firm by Mr. Hornsby and the committee during the erection of the building and wished the society every success. (Cheers.) Mr. Hornsby thanked Mr. Cooper for the key and said the building was a credit to the builder, the architect, the town and the society (Hear, hear.) Some people might have questioned the wisdom of erecting these buildings, but the committee felt that they would be MEETING A LONG-FELT WANT on the part of the members. He went on to indicate the uses to which the building would be put, and said the total cost would be, when completed, something like £5,000. The Rushden society was inaugurated in 1877. At the end of the first six months, they had done a trade of £587, and had made £41 profit. They now had 1400 members and their trade amounted to £30,000 per annum. (Cheers.) They had returned to their members between £12,000 and £13,000 in dividends, which must have proved of inestimable benefit to the recipients. They believed in honest trading, fair dealing, buying in the best markets, and a fair margin of profit. They did not believe in unscrupulous competition but they did believe in doing all they could to foster the productive side of the movement, believing that they were thus helping their fellow workmen to earn a fair wage. (Cheers.) Mr. G. J. Holyoak said he had not, as they would be conscious, an open-air voice, but one here and there would hear something of what he said and if they all co-operated together they would get all he said. (Laughter.) He was glad to be able personally to congratulate the co-operators of the town on the good sense, capacity for unity, and thrift which enable them to erect a building so attractive, commanding, and convenient. They saw no such buildings in France and Italy, for the people in those countries SPENT THEIR DIVIDENDS instead of leaving them in the stores to accumulate and extend their business. He wondered that anyone should be in doubt as to the advantages of membership of a co-operative society. That society now gave them 10 per cent. on their purchases and if they left their money in the society they got 5 per cent. more, making 15 per cent. in all. In other public companies they had to pay a premium to get 5 per cent. The Co-operative Society had an open door and everyone could share in its advantages and in the 15 per cent. (Cheers.) Co-operators offered to their neighbours the same advantages as they enjoyed themselves, and, as far as careful scrutiny and honesty of administration could ensure, dealt only in articles which were what they professed to be and provisions which were wholesome. To do this, knowledge was indispensable, and he was glad to note in this connection that they voted £10 a quarter to the educational fund. That was something, but it only meant three-fourths of a farthing per member. They would need more money to keep their knowledge up-to-date. The educational work was capable of great extension, and would prove greatly to the advantage of the stores. He was very glad to hear of their interests in productive societies. What made co-operation rise and grow? It was called the religion of industry. The movement needed A NEW IMPULSE The stores could give that impulse and increase their membership by it. Co-operation had done much for the consumer, and it was time it did something for the workman. Some of the best societies gave the dividend not only to the consumers but to the employees, and other societies by following their example could give a grand impulse to the movement. His own nephew, the proprietor of the Sun newspaper, intended to distribute in this way £10,000 to his employees. (Cheers.) The doctrine of everything for the consumer was not enough for co-operation, which was higher and nobler than that. Labour had its rights as well as appetite. (Cheers.) He was reared among the working classes and shared their fortunes, and he knew that the Co-operator stood on a higher level than other men of his class, for the very fact that he was a member of the stores led him to take an interest in the business. Co-operation tended, therefore, to increase not only their means but their intelligence. If they only developed their work on the right lines they would have an influence which would surprise them. He again congratulated the society on the enterprise they had shown. (Cheers.) Mr. F. Ballard moved that the best thanks of the gathering be passed to the Chairman and speakers of the afternoon, alluding with special gratification to the presence of Mr. Holyoak. Mr. Coles seconded the motion, which was carried with acclamation. Mr. Holyoak, in a brief reply, said they had heard the last open-air speech he was ever likely to make, but it was most gratifying to him to be able to attend their gathering. (Cheers.) TEAS AND MORE SPEECHES At the conclusion of the ceremony the members of the society were provided with a free tea at the Queen-street schools and in a large marquee erected in a field in the Park-road. Tea was also provided for the general public at each place. About 400 sat down at the schools, and no less than 1,100 in the field. The catering was done entirely by the society and was admirably carried out. The speakers and delegates from other societies had tea provided for them at the Queen Victoria Hotel, Mr. J. Hornsby presiding. The catering here was well carried out by Mr. J. T. Whitney, and the serving was excellent. After tea Mr. Maddison gave an address. He said they had had a splendid day. The weather had been in their favour, and he had never seen a bigger crowd at an opening ceremony, though he was told they were having a slack time in the staple trade. He always felt at such a gathering that it was a very good time to take stock of their principles. In the co-operative movement they had great responsibilities and the responsibility would become heavier as the movement grew. Co-operation was more than a matter of trading though it did not appear to be anything else on a superficial examination. If it was only that, it would be valuable, but it was A MOVEMENT FOR HUMAN BETTERMENT, for the amelioration of the condition of the masses. The pioneers of the movement had a great conception of the dignity of labour, and their aim was to extend the great principle of co-partnership. No man could help being raised by such a principle. They could not expect the work to bear fruit in all its fullness all at once. Some men might not appear better for the stores, but that was part of the problem of applying democracy to industry. That was a tremendous problem, but it would be solved, and some day the absence of the co-partnership principle would be the exception instead of the rule. That principle was already at work among the great capitalist bodies and it was a great economic factor. They believed that if the labour co-partnership principle permeated every society, they would have a revivified co-operative movement. (Cheers.) Mr. G. J. Holyoak then addressed the delegates. He said they had taken part in an auspicious ceremony that afternoon, a ceremony which would live in their memories. Going on to speak of the movement for labour co-partnership, he said the idea of participation of the workers in the profit had been called a fad, but co-operative workshops began before stores. Why should not that principle be extended? He strongly commended the idea of co-operatives production. The Co-operative Wholesale Society had been described as the most democratic of the societies, and if the delegates from the distributive societies insisted on the application of the principle of labour co-partnership to co-operative production it would be done. At present a distributive society was AS BAD AS LORD PENRHYN, for they drew as their dividend an amount which was equal to 2½d, per member. For this pitiful sum, co-operators sold their brother workmen into slavery. What was the good of the movement if it did nothing for labour? (Cheers.) At present the workmen merely hired themselves out to labour, but co-operators could not honourably sanction that when they were themselves the employers. They must interest themselves in the movement for labour co-partnership until every labourer got his share of the profit. (Cheers.) Trades Unionists struck at bad wages now, but some day they would strike at bad work, and perhaps some day they would strike for a share of the profit. Mr. Carnegie, the best of the millionaires, said his great fortune would never have been made but for the co-operation of his workmen. They heard a good deal about old age pensions, but if men pensioned themselves off by means of labour co-partnership they need not wait for Mr. Chamberlain or anyone else who made promises which could not be fulfilled. (Cheers.) 14th August, 1903 RUSHDEN CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY Through great pressure on our space last week the following report of the after-tea proceedings in connection with the festivities attending the opening of the new Co-operative store at Rushden was crowded out :- A great crowd assembled in the field on Park-road after tea, when the Rushden Volunteer Band played for dancing, and two excellent entertainments were given by Messrs. Luckman, Eagles, and Harris, of Kettering. Swings, &c., were provided for the children, and there was also a well-filled refreshment stall. At the entrance to the field, arches of evergreens were erected, and at dusk were outlined with coloured fairy lamps. A similar arch was erected across the road near the new Store, bearing the mottoes “Success to the new Store” and “Welcome,” in white letters on a red ground. This arch too, was outlined with fairy lamps, which were also used with excellent effect to decorate the front of the Store. The decorations were the work of Mr. F. Betts, florist, Queen-street. At about nine o’clock the Band led the way from the field to the Store, where some of the members dispersed while others went inside to inspect a compact but comprehensive exhibition of co-operative products. The goods sold by the Rushden Stores were, of course, prominent, but there were also interesting exhibits from the following Productive Societies :- Higham Ferrers Boot and Shoe Society (a very fine show), Birmingham Tin Plate Workers, Wigston Hosiers, Banbury Co-operative Society, Kettering Corset Society, Keighley Ironworks Society, Coventry Watch Society, “Ideal” Clothiers, Wellingborough Co-operative Sundries, Droylsden, Leicester Basket Makers, Kettering Clothiers, Dudley Bucket and Fender Society, and St. Andrews’ Watch Society, Coventry. There was also a well-filled stall of plain and fancy needlework, the work of members of the Co-operative Guild. During the afternoon and evening, the Co-operative Orchestral Band, under the skilful leadership of Mr. F. S. Knight, played pleasing selections of music in the hall, adding much to the enjoyment of the thousands of visitors. CHILDREN’S TREAT The annual treat to the children of the members was held on Friday, and passed off very successfully. A monster procession, including about 1,700 children and a number of decorated vehicles, was formed at the Wellingborough-road store and paraded the town headed by the Temperance Band. Many of the juveniles wore special costumes and prizes were offered for the best “turn-out.” The costumes were judged by Messrs. I. Haigh and W. Bazeley, whose awards were : - First, King Woods, who represented “Bobs”; second G. V. Maddams, a slave; third E. Richardson and L. Woods, “Weary Willie and Tired Tim”; fourth, Horace Dilley, “Co-operation”; fifth Lilian and Grace Orchard, butterflies; sixth Olive Taylor, grandmother. At the field on Park-road, tea was served to the children, and a programme of sports was carried out. The prize-winners were : Boys’ 80 yards flat race, 1. Ronald Roberts, 2. Alec Ambridge, 3. Will Sherwood; girls’ 60 yards (under ten), 1. Hilda Durham, 2. May Thuilby, 3. Lily Brace; girls’ skipping (under ten), 1. Elsie Wright, 2. Florrie Cox, 3. Grace Childs; boys’ 100 yards flat race (over ten and under fourteen), 1. Cyril Groome, 2. Horace Church, 3. Herbert Turney; girls’ skipping (ten to fourteen), 1. May Clarke, 2. Elsie Rice, 3. Frances Gutteridge; sack race (under ten), 1. Cyril Sheffield, 2. Alec Ambridge, 3. Robert Wright; girls’ 80 yards (over ten), 1. Elsie Ambridge, 2. Maud Roberts, 3 (equal after two dead heats) Elsie Baxter and Emily Payne; boys’ sack race (over ten), 1. George Savage, 2. Arthur Denton, 3. John Bailey; women’s race, 1. Mrs. Andrews, 2. Mrs. Dickerson, 3. Mrs. Ingram. The prizes were distributed by Mrs. Taylor (president of the Women’s Co-operative Guild) and Mrs. Spavins (representing the Educational Committee). The Temperance band played for dancing, and entertainments were given on a stage erected in the field by Mr. Percy Agutter and the Two Enos, Balloons were also sent up during the evening and the young people spent a very happy time. PRESENTATION On Friday, before the closing of the exhibition at the new store, an informal gathering of the exhibitors’ representatives was held on the platform in the hall, when Mr. Daniels, of the Kettering Clothing Society, expressed the best thanks of the exhibitors to the society and the society’s employees for the way in which they had been treated. He said they had never been entertained so royally before. The arrangements made were all that could be desired and the exhibitors had been treated with the utmost courtesy. Mr. Halstead, secretary of the Productive Societies’ Federation, Leicester, bore out what Mr. Daniels had said, and, on behalf of the exhibitors, presented to Mr. Cure, the manager and secretary of the Rushden Society, a handsomely-bound copy of the Oxford Teachers’ Bible. Mr. Cure, to whom the gift came as a great surprise, sincerely thanked the donors, and said it had given him great pleasure to do what he could in connection with the exhibition and the opening ceremony. He paid a high tribute to the hearty co-operation of the society’s employees and said that without their willing help things could not have turned out so successfully. |
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Transcribed by Gill Hollis
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