GLASGOW SOCIETY.
Turning again to Glasgow, where the first Co-operative bakeries of which there is any record were established, we find that many attempts had been made in the interval to establish Co-operative trading on a firm foundation, but in vain. How many of these early Co-operative failures were due to the fact that the surpluses accruing from the trading transactions were divided in proportion to the capital held, without any regard being paid to the trade done with the society by the holders of the capital, it is not possible to say, but the system was bound to have a disturbing effect on the minds of those members who, although too poor to invest much capital, were loyal purchasers from the store.
However that may be, after a lecture by Holyoake, a fresh attempt to establish Co-operation in the city was made, and for a time the new venture seemed to flourish, only to perish eventually like its predecessors. What makes this society interesting at this point is that of it is recorded the fact that it possessed “a modern baking department,” and is said to have supplied the neighbouring societies with bread. The society came to an end in 1865, and with it ended Co-operative baking in the city for the time being. When next we hear of it it is in a new, and as it turned out, a stabler and more permanent form.
At this point it may be interesting to note some particulars of the Co-operative baking societies in existence in Scotland in 1866, as taken from the returns sent in to the Registrar of Friendly Societies in Scotland. It is probable that the list is far from complete, and it takes no account of the societies having bakeries of their own who dealt in other goods as well. These societies were:—
| Value of Property. | Profits. | |
|---|---|---|
| Airdrie Bread | No property. | £252 |
| Alva Baking | £l,184 | 331 |
| Bainsford and Grahamston | 1,484 | 788 |
| Coatbridge Bread | 857 | 466 |
| Dalry Baking | 20 | 50 |
| Dunfermline Baking | 116 | 493 |
| Edinburgh Bread | 422 | 271 |
| Leven Baking | 200 | 120 |
| Roslin Baking | 82 | |
| Stenhousemuir Baking | 782 | 350 |
A notable absentee from the above list is the name of Kingskettle Baking Society.