Mr Coe, of Rothwell, moved the following resolution: “That this conference, representing 26,220 Co-operators, emphatically protests against the treatment meted out to Co-operative Societies in the district in regard to coal supplies; and calls upon the authorities to remove the obstacles which are being put in the way by officials, and to regulate supplies according to the requisition quantities of each retailer.” Mr Coe said the available supplies were not being equitably distributed, and the difference between the treatment of co-operative societies and private retailers was a scandal. Sufficient coal was coming into Rothwell to relieve the people of anxiety for a time, but the Co-operative Society was only getting 12 tons a week instead of 30 tons.

Mr W J Cure, manager of the Rushden society, seconded, and said that during the past six months the Rushden Society had not delivered as much as five cwt. to any individual in the town. Indeed, their customers were limited to two cwt.

The resolution was unanimously carried. [part of a longer article]