CO-OPERATIVE TEA & ANNUAL MEETING On Monday evening the annual tea and public meeting of the Co-operative Society was held in the New Hall, when about 150 members and friends sat down. After tea, a public meeting was held in the same place, which was attended by most of those at tea, supplemented by other friends. The chair was occupied by Mr. T. Wilmott, and on the platform were Messrs. T. Clark, G. Spaving, S. Harris, W. Wright, J. Neal, W. Ladds, R. Clarke, W. H. Clarke, committee men; D. Darnell, W. Darnell, Irchester; T. Curtis, Northampton; and J. Butler, secretary of Long Eaton Co-operative Society.

The Chairman, in his opening speech, said they had met to hear two gentlemen who had worked in the co-operative movement for a long time, and although they at Rushden had been in the work for some years, and knew something of co-operation, they were willing to learn more. He was pleased to know that although the wind had blown from various quarters on their society, yet they had got on their legs again. But they wanted to do better than they were now doing. Co-operation helped men and women to walk upright with an air of independence, and without being afraid to meet any tradesman, as they paid for what they had, and that was the best way. He went on to notice the way young people get into debt; first, they pay for what they have; and then as Wednesday comes they have to "strap" 3d., perhaps; and then 6d. on Thursday; and this increases until it is a week's account, and at length amounts to pounds. Thus are always down in the world, as a race of people that cannot save some of their earnings can never rise in the social scale. This was strikingly amplified in the east of Europe, where the people poor and down-trodden. It was not what a man earned, but what he spent, that makes the difference. He had worked with men who had got double wages, and ought not to have had more than half the expenses he had, and yet if you were to go to them they could not raise £10 among them. He heard one such say that it had cost him more than £1,000 to paint his nose. (Laughter) Now what good had such men done the country? When they were ill they must come to the parish or die of starvation, but by belonging to the society it was easy to save, if it was a little at a time.

Mr. Curtis, in his address, said that co-operation would solve the problem how to distribute the wealth of the country among those who produce it. There were many thousands of those who created the wealth of the richest city in the world at the point of starvation daily in that city. Efforts had been made to alter that state of things without effect, but if co-operation was carried out in its entirety, it would help the working classes to obtain a fairer distribution of the wealth they produce. He then noticed the origin of the Rochdale pioneers in co-operation, how that they started with a capital of £28, and were the laughing stock of all that knew them, and in 40 years their trade had increased to such an extent that now they were classed among the merchant princes. Last year, their turn-over was upwards of £4,000,000, and that was doing something to help to bridge over the chasm between wealth and poverty. He next referred to the movement at Northampton, and stated that in the eleven years they had been in business they had done business to the amount of £248,590, or £22,000 per year, at a profit of £17,434. They had 16 places of business, a mill, and several of grazing land. He mentioned those things show what could be done, and if the movement should go on, as he hoped it would, the public would see that knowledge was power; and after that they would have productive co-operation, and men would be their own masters. He little thought he should ever stand on a platform to advocate the principles of co-operation on that spot. In the year 1880 the society did the largest amount of business of any year since its commencement, and lost £23 on the year, although their turn-over was £3,400. That experience, he said, was almost unique in co-operative management. It was thought better then to have a stranger to look into their affairs, and he was invited; and he had since acted as their auditor; the result being satisfactory, as since that time the loss had stopped, and the business had been increasing. It was not always the greatest business that was the most profitable, but the manner of doing business had a deal to do with success or failure. He advised them to have quarterly printed balance-sheets, and distribute to every member. The trade done during the last year amounted to £2,874, this being £427 more than the previous year, and their position was better than it was in the previous year by £186. He had no doubt their prospects would continue to improve, and in a few years they would stand amongst the foremost societies in the county. Their system of bookkeeping was excellent, and the officers, from the storekeeper to all that took any part in the management, did their duty in a most efficient manner. He advised them to let their dividends stand in the society, and it would soon be worth £3,000 or £4,000. He concluded by saying that if they waited by the river of life for the boat of wealth to carry them over, they would wait all their lives and not get over, but much was to be done by self-help.

The Chairman urged them to let their dividends lie, as then they could soon do without paying interest on their buildings, which now amounted to £7 per quarter.

Mr. Butler then addressed the meeting. He contrasted the position of the society at present to what it was two or three years ago, at which time he was misinformed as to the actual condition of their society, but he was pleased to know that the remarks he then made had had something to do with the resuscitation of their society. They were there to encourage one another in the work of co-operation, and he thought if they had more such meetings it would be better for the society. It would be better to have quarterly teas than yearly ones, and at such times to let members know the position of the society, and to induce some to go to the meetings who were not members. It would encourage the shopman, the committee, and themselves to have the meetings quarterly. Co-operation fostered the principle of mutual self help. He thought they might hope for better things in the future. He referred to the advantage of good servants, as shown in their present position, and said that their present position should encourage them to let their dividends lie. He advised them to do their business fairly and honestly, by charging fair profit and supplying a good article, and not to sell things at a loss to undersell their neighbours. He further advised them to spend every shilling they could at the stores, and after they had been able to get all their grocery at the stores to ask for drapery, books, clothing, coals, &c. He hoped they would have printed balance sheets quarterly, as had been suggested. He was pleased they were going to form a reserve fund. At the place he came from they had a reserve fund of £600. The speaker went on to urge them to take and distribute the Co-operative News, and send delegates to the Central Co-operative Congress Board. On the question of co-operative production he said little, but he advised them to purchase from the wholesale co-operative stores. This he held to be their duty, especially they could buy better articles at lower prices, the wholesale society having agents and buyers at all the principal produce markets in this country, Ireland, Denmark, America, and elsewhere. The building department he recommended to their consideration, and gave the terms on which they at Long Easton advanced building mortgages to the members. They now had over £7,000 lent to their members on their homes, &c. Their takings in the first year amounted to £1,854, but last year (15 years afterwards) amounted to £33,235, and during the whole of that time their total business had reached £353,230. The profit on the first year was £165, and last year it was £2,247. He urged them not to relax their endeavours at Rushden when they had already paid a dividend of 2s. in the £. At Long Eaton they had in the fifteen years paid in dividends to members no less a sum than £22,263 9s. 3d. In Northamptonshire there were 33 co-operative societies, with 6,260 members, a share capital of £30,736, loan capital of £4,141, a reserve fund of £1,791, and buildings, &c., valued at £23,737.

Several other gentlemen having spoken on the subject, the meeting was closed in the usual way.

RUSHDEN INDUSTRIAL CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY —This Society held their annual meeting on Tuesday last when 80 members and friends were present to tea. From the report presented to the meeting it appears the Society numbers 210 members, and the last quarter's business transactions were the most profitable of any since the Society has been established, as after paying working expenses, adding £15 to the reserve fund, and a like amount set aside for the redemption of the state property, there remained for distribution as dividend a net profit of £104 8s. 5d. This justfied a dividend of 2s. 6d. in the £, after paying all working expenses, and making allowances for depreciation. The net profits realised have given the members 3 dividends of 2s. 2d. in the £, and one of 2s. 6d., beside paying 5 per cent compound interest on capital, leaving a balance in hand of £8 13s. 5d. The accounts had been audited by Messrs. S. Curtis, and W. Wilkins. The following are the Committee:—Messrs. W. Wright, A. Parker, C. Clarke, J. Button, W. S. Ladds, R. Clarke, E. Robinson, I. Neal, J. Bollard, T. Willmott, G. Spavings, S. Harris; D. Darnell, Treasurer; S. Brightwell, Secretary.

PICNIC—On Monday the members of the Co-operative Society held their picnic in a field kindly lent by Mr. Daniel Dickens. There was a large gathering at tea, and in the evening the Temperance Band played selections of sacred music and for dancing. Cricket, quoits, &c., were also provided, and a large party were present. The society appears to be in a very prosperous condition, having declared a dividend to members of 2s. 6d. in the £ on the past quarter's cheques, after putting a sum to the reserve fund.

Northampton Mercury Saturday February 1^st 1890, transcribed by Susan Manton

Industrial Co-operative Society

The quarterly tea and meeting were held on Tuesday the 28^th inst. When the balance sheet and report of the past quarter’s trading were presented and the officers and committee of the society were elected, Messrs. G. W. Button and T. Willmott were the retiring committee men; Mr. Button being re-elected, Mr. W. Scroxton taking the place of Mr. Willmott. All the other officers were re-elected. The cash received by the society for goods sold is £2,376.17s.4d, which after paying working expenses and interest on capital, has realised a nett profit of £164.13s.10d. They have therefore declared a dividend of 1s 6d in the £ on £2,194 checks sent in leaving a balance in hand of 2s 10d. The number of members is now 360. The committee is as follows:- Messrs W. Scroxton, S. Harris, J. Drage, W. S. Ladds, W. Pennis, G. T. Button, A. Wright, Mr. David Darnell, treasurer; Mr. Thomas Brightwell, secretary. Messrs. Darnell and Lack were re-elected salesmen.

Rushden Times, 3^rd November 1893

Industrial Co-operative Society.—A number of members sat down to tea at the Stores (High-street) on Tuesday. The quarterly meeting was held afterwards, presided over by Mr. W. Wright. The sixty-fifth quarterly report and balance sheet, read by the secretary (Mr. Thomas Brightwell), were unanimously passed. The cash paid over for goods sold (during the quarter ending Sept 30^th) was £3373 8s 3d, which, after paying the working expenses and interest on capital, realised a net profit of £248 5s 1d; thus giving to members of the society on the £2824 cheeks sent in, a dividend of 2s in £, and leaving a balance in hand of £1 17d 1d.—The auditors were Messrs Geo Jones and Stephen Harris.

Co-operators and The War - Rushden Society’s Staff Difficulties - Large Grant for Hospital Letters

At the quarterly meeting of the Rushden industrial Co-operative Society on Tuesday night, Mr G W Coles (president) presided, supported by Mr W J Cure (general manager and treasurer), Mr T E Wigginton (secretary) and members of the committee.

Half-Yearly Report

Mr Coles presented the report for the last half of 1916 as follows:-

We are pleased to inform you that the results of the last half-year’s trading are again most satisfactory.

The net sales amount to £38,925/4/8, and for the year total to £73,212/1/0¼. Allowing for advanced prices and reduced population we still have cause for congratulation.

The Share Capital has now reached the splendid sum of £29,893. We would remind you that this is a good investment for your savings, as same is withdrawable on notice, and the interest is £4/3/4 per cent per annum. Patriotism will still be served indirectly, as our bankers (C.W.S.) are investing large sums in the War Loan on behalf of the Co-operative movement generally.

The savings bank, which now stands at £7,629 with the same rate of interest, is an attractive investment for small sums.

Nearly £10,000 has now been written off Land, Buildings, and Fixed Stock account as Depreciation.

Information has previously been given that Excess Profits Duty would have to be paid for the first year of War. As no payment has yet been made (and we are now in the third year) we have taken the precaution of reserving £300 for this purpose.

Our bread production for the half-year is 265,880 half-quartern loaves and 11,485 small loaves. The totals for the year are respectively 505,029 and 21,059.

The number of beast slaughtered is 91, sheep 267, pigs 176.

The proposed disposal of surplus is as follows:-

We feel sure that such excellent results will earn your approbation and that every member will be proud of the Society’s continued progress and sound position.

Mr Hornsby appealed for a bigger grant than £10/10/0 for Hospital letters and suggested £50.

A member asked what the progress of the bread trade had been in the last six months.

The Chairman replied that there had been an ..............

Elections

Mr G W Coles was re-elected president, and Mr T E Wigginton secretary, Mr H H Hobbs and Mr G W Button were re-elected on the general committee, and Mr F W Elsdon and Mrs L Scholes were elected on the Educational Committee.

Mr W Clark and Mr E Freeman were nominated for the committee for the next quarter.

Mr Ladds was elected to accompany Mr H H Hobbs as delegate to the C.W.S. Quarterly Meeting in March.

It was decided to send Mr E Freeman (for committee) and Mr Fletcher (for the members) as delegates to the Co-operative Congress.

Hospital Grant

Mr Hornsby again brought up the matter of the donation to the Hospital.

The Chairman said he had consulted the Committee and they had agreed to grant 20 guineas to the Hospital.

This was agreed to by the vote of the meeting.

War Difficulties

Mr Cure said that there had been great difficulties since the last meeting, as he had prophesied there would be, and there were more difficulties before them. The Military authorities had placed their different departments in uncomfortable straits by taking away the eligible men, and the management were doing their best to overcome that difficulty by the substitution of female labour. The delivery system would have to be seriously curtailed, and he appealed for the support of the members in this direction. Complaints had been received regarding the delivery of bread, some members having been overlooked. The cause of it was the frequent changes in the bread department, but the difficulty would be overcome with the support of the members. In the Wellingborough-road side of the town the delivery of bread was staisfcatory, but there was difficulty in the High-street side of the town. He would be glad to receive an application from any member who would be willing to take charge of the bread van in this district. Apart from these difficulties the bread department had progressed very satisfactorily.

War Pensions

Mr Fletcher gave a report of the work of the Trades and Labour Council during the past year, laying particular stress on the work in connection with Pensions.

Mr Lingard spoke of the formation by the Trades and Labour Council of a sub-committee to the pensions Committee, and said that all those who were in need would have their claims seen to if they applied to the committee.

Mr Elsden mentioned that perhaps a good many were not aware that for those dependants of soldiers and sailors who were in worse circumstances than before the war there was a special grant, fixed according to the rent they paid, and anyone in such a position should put in their claim at the Pensions office at the Free Library on Monday mornings.

Progress of Rushden Co-op – Increase in Money and members

At the annual treat given by the Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society on Thursday last week to their elderly members nearly 300 guests assembled (in the Co-operative Hall), Mr G W Coles, J.P. (president), taking the chair. A tea served by the society’s own catering department (under Mr W H Marriott) was much enjoyed.

Mr Coles, cordially welcoming the guests, said the society’s trade for the year 1924 amounted to £132,000 and the capital stood at £105,000. These figures were a tribute to the members’ thrift and to the confidence they had in the Co-operative movement. The membership was also increasing, and the reserves were very substantial. The year 1926 would see the celebration of the society’s jubilee. Mr Coles extended thanks and praise to the various committees and to the services rendered in 1924, and expressed the hope that 1926 would prove the most successful year in their history.

A social followed in which musical items were given in excellent style by the Chimes Cabaret Company of Northampton.

Rushden Co-operative Society Meeting - Sales Decrease During Past Quarter
Dial Farm Sale: A New Recommendation

The quarterly meeting of the Rushden Industrial Co-operative Society Ltd was held on Tuesday when Mr. G. W. Coles, J.P., was in the chair, supported by Mr. T. E. Wigginton (secretary) and members of the- committee. The committee's report showed that the sales for the quarter amounted to £38,142 19s. 6d., a decrease of £6,664 2s. 3½d., compared with the corresponding quarter of last year. The latter however, was 14 weeks and allowing for the extra week the decrease was under £4,000. Such decreases were inevitable with the fall in the cost of living and caused them no anxiety. The membership continued to rise the total being 4,400.

The total amount of share and loan capital and savings bank claims was still a high figure but the increase for the quarter was a small one, namely £l,050.

With reference to their decision to sell Dial Farm no further progress had been made, and they now asked the members to modify their, decision by giving them power to dispose of a part, or whole, as building plots on which they could build, according to demand, semi-detached houses for sale. The frontage in particular was suitable for that purpose. Their proposal had been placed on the agenda for special consideration.

The committee's recommendation “That the committee be empowered to dispose of a part, or whole of Dial Farm in building plots and to build as required semi-detached houes for sale upon the said plots,” was carried.

The following donations and subscriptions had been paid from the reserve fund: National League for

The following donations and subscriptions had been paid from the reserve fund: National League for the Blind £2 2s., Rushden motor Ambulance Association £3 3s., Co-operative Party £8 18s. 2d., Seamen's Hospital 10s. 6d., Co-operative District Association £1 11s. 6d., Rushden Fire Brigade £1 1s., Ruskin College £2 2s., St. Dunstan's Hostel for the Blind £1 1s.. Dr. Barnardo's Home, £1 1s., Tuberculosis After-Care (prize fund) £2 2s., and Police Sports 10s. 6d. making a total of £24 2s. 8d.

The election of two general committee men resulted in Mr F Berrill and Mr T Richardson being elected. Mr E Freeman and Mr A W Ablett were re-elected to the Educational Committee. Mrs Walker gave an interesting report on the C W S meeting and Mrs Strudwick reported on the Congress meeting. Mrs C Knight was elected as delegate to the next C W S meeting.

A very satisfactory half-year's trading was reported at the quarterly meeting of Rushden Co-operative Society, presided over by Mr. E. A. Sugars in the Adult School on Tuesday. The total sales were £141,550, a record increase of £17,068 or approximately 12 percent. It was noted that the increases were general over most of the departments, and the pharmacy department's weekly average was now £99. Membership, shares, loans and small savings had similarly increased, and the investments held by the society had now reached the half-million pounds mark.

A dividend of 2 /- in the £ was approved by the members.

Messrs. E. Freeman and J. T. Richardson, J.P., were re-elected to the general committee and the recent resignation of Mr. J E Dilks caused a further election in which Mr. C. Ginns was successful. Messrs. P. W. Toms and W. J. Groom were nominated for the general committee and Messrs. S. Baker, B. V. Page and H. King were nominated for the Educational Committee.

Post-war problems were discussed and the opinion expressed that hard and fast decisions could not be made at a time when so many activities were controlled or restricted by Government decree.