Page 117 - The_story_of_the_C._W._S._The_jubilee_history_of_the_cooperative_wholesale_society,_limited._1863-1913_(IA_storyofcwsjubill00redf) (1)_Neat

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Outside the Walls.
Of course, if this is carried out, it will be the prelude to buying other goods
upon a large scale—forming, in point of fact, a central store for the supply of
each society.
The " City Industrial " in the same issue reported extended trade
and a contemplated estabHshment of a wholesale department. A
few months later the secretary of an IsUngton Society, William
Freeston, wTote that
A Co-operative Wholesale Agency in London would be a very great boon,
especially to those societies who will be so foolish as to commence operations
with a paltry capital. We began to purchase our goods from a flourishing
brother society, but they charged us 5 per cent commission.
The feehng represented by these various projects and attempts
led in 1862-3 to the establisnment of the London Association for the
Promotion of Co-operation. Mr. F. W. Jones was the secretary, at
59, Britannia Street, City Road, E.C. Vansittart Neale and
Professor Newman at once joined as honorary members, and John
Stuart Mill soon after expressed his sense of the value of such a
society for London, " and possibly for much more than London."
The secretary stated that what had been done in the North of
England the London working men would do; therefore, the
association would immediately apply itself to forming a wholesale
depot and agency on the plan of the North of England C.W.S., as
well as a co-operative flour mill and bakery. Through the efforts
of the new organisation the Metropolitan and Home Counties
Co-operative Purchasing Association commenced business early in
1864. Nine societies became shareholders, and premises were taken
at Eastcheap. But by the end of the first year half the capital
had been lost. Three j^ears of subterranean existence followed, with
headquarters hidden away at 9, Bell Yard, Doctors' Commons.
This courageous humihty sufficed to redeem the losses, and in 1868
the association was able to emerge and claim wider support. It
organised a conference, which was held under the chairmanship of
Thomas Hughes, then M.P. for Lambeth. Delegates attended not
only from London but from places as wide apart as Thetford
(Norfolk) and Windsor, and a vote of confidence was secured by the
association.
But very shortly a larger movement arose. Following an abortive
first conference, various leaders and uifluential friends of co-operation
again were called together in London by that member of the old
guard, William Pare; and in consequence, on May 31st, 18G9, the
fijst of the present series of Co-operative Congresses was opened in
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