RELATIONS WITH MASTER BAKERS.
In the middle of 1896, the Master Bakers’ Association held a meeting to consider the price of bread. Out of 48 firms represented, 44 voted against making any reduction in price at the moment, while four were in favour of a reduction. After the meeting those four firms met and agreed to reduce the price. They got other three firms to join with them; with the result that on the morning of 15th June an advertisement appeared in the Glasgow papers which stated that these seven bakers had reduced the price of their bread. The committee of the Baking Society met that evening, and they decided that while the price of flour did not warrant the reduction, yet, in order that the Federation might maintain its position it was their unanimous finding that the price should be reduced by one halfpenny on the four-pound loaf. At the same meeting it was agreed that, as the sale of “common” bread was very small, the Federation should cease baking it altogether, and produce only the one quality of bread in future—“fine.” This decision was adhered to for six months, at the end of which period it was agreed to begin the baking of “common” bread again. At a later period this connection with the Master Bakers’ Association was called in question at a quarterly meeting, and gave rise to a lengthy discussion. Mr Glasse of the Wholesale board was the chief critic, and moved that the Federation be not represented at these meetings in future. Several of the delegates, in supporting this motion, pointed out that some of the master bakers present at these meetings of the association were men who had signed an agreement to do their best to put down Co-operation, and one delegate described the association as a syndicate, the members of which wished for big profits and cared for no one but themselves. It was pointed out by the chairman that this was not a properly-constituted association, but an informal gathering of people engaged in the same business. The Federation had been invited to send a representative, and had got some useful information there, but were not committed in any way. Finally, on being put to the vote, the motion of Mr Glasse was defeated in favour of an amendment that the committee act as they had been doing. The question was one which cropped up periodically at meetings of the Federation, but always with the same result of leaving the Federation unfettered to do the best they could in the interest of the concern they were appointed to manage.