In order that the delegates of the Irish societies might become familiar with the Society and its work the committee also invited the Irish Conference Association to hold their conference under the auspices of the Federation. So successful were all these means of propagating the sale of bread that, before the new bakery had been in operation for a year, the foreman baker was approaching the committee with a proposal for more oven accommodation.
The Society had given horses and delivery carts on loan to the societies when the bakery was started, but it was felt that this method of conducting the business was not satisfactory and could not be allowed to continue indefinitely, so letters were sent to the societies inviting them to a conference at which the whole question of delivery could be discussed. At this conference, which took place in July 1907, the board proposed that these horses and vans be handed over to the societies, the Federation, however, retaining a lien on them for three years so that, in the event of any society discontinuing the purchase of bread inside that time, the Federation could resume possession. It was also agreed that, in future, the Federation should deliver the bread at the place most convenient to each society, but that each society would be responsible for delivering the bread to its own members. This arrangement was approved by the representatives from the Irish societies who were present at the conference.
Already, at the beginning of 1907, the bakery was proving too small for the work which had to be done, and by the middle of the year it was decided to add three more ovens, while by the end of the year it had become necessary to extend the bakery, and it was agreed that this should be done, at a cost of almost £3,000. At the end of 1907, also, Mr George Forshaw resigned his position as manager of the branch, and Mr Duncan M‘Innes, who was in charge of the branch at Falkirk, was appointed manager in his place.
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
The members of the board had now had almost a year’s experience of managing Belfast Branch, and had come to the conclusion that in order that the work should be carried on satisfactorily in every respect it was desirable that representatives of the local societies should be associated in the management. For this purpose they drew up a scheme for an advisory committee, to consist of three representatives of Irish societies. These proposals were approved by the delegates at the quarterly meeting, and were afterwards submitted to representatives of the Irish societies and approved by them. Mr Robert Fleming, Belfast, was appointed convener of the committee, and associated with him were Messrs Crook, Lisburn, and Palmer, Portadown. The constitution of the Advisory Committee was as follows:—
The committee shall consist of three members—one of whom shall act as convener and correspondent.
They shall be elected at a meeting of representatives of Irish societies to be summoned by the board of management in the month of July in each year. They shall hold office for two years.
Their duties, generally, shall be to supplement the efforts of the board of management in developing and consolidating the business of Belfast branch. To this end, they shall meet and confer with those members of the board who visit the bakery monthly. They shall keep in touch with the several societies in the Federation, and advise as to the most economical means of serving them. They must visit the societies when commissioned to do so by the board, and carry out any particular duties assigned to them—such as attending monthly meeting, conferences, verifying stocks, etc.
They shall be paid at the same rate as the members of the board of management doing the same work.
From time to time since then the constitution of the advisory committee has been amended and its membership added to. Very shortly after its formation it was increased to four members; in 1912 another member was added; and in September 1918 yet another, making the membership now six.