Page 351 - The_story_of_the_C._W._S._The_jubilee_history_of_the_cooperative_wholesale_society,_limited._1863-1913_(IA_storyofcwsjubill00redf) (1)_Neat

Hosiery Making at Huthwaite.

circumstances, with the disturbance of a removal, and the increased
fixed charges, the management found rehef in producing inferior
goods. But this false step proved, at any rate, that the co-operative
movement was not indifferent to the quahty of its supphes. Com-
plaints multiphed; the magnificent new factory was brought
practically to a standstill while the Committee made their investiga-
tion; and a fourth change of management quickly followed.
Reahsing the necessity, the Committee further resolved upon a bold
course. The stock was specially depreciated, certain unnecessary
contracts for yarn were determined, and everj'thing done to make a
clean new start. The delegates had then to be faced with a half
year's loss totaUing £35,000, or £40,958 on the whole year 1908.
The task was rendered still more unenviable by the same balance
sheet happening to contain various other losses totalhng in all
£20,000. However, it was stoutly faced by the Productive Com-
mittee of the C.W.S., led by its chairman, Mr. Lander, whose frank
statements at the final general meeting did much to restore con-
fidence. After all, although described by a delegate as the worst
balance sheet on the productive side ever placed before them, the
accounts for this half year showed a substantial net profit from all
the productive works, after reckoning every possible penny on the
WTong side.
The new manager, ]\Ir. H. France, capably assisted, began his
uphill task in November, 1908. The quahty of the fresh productions
was jealously guarded, the training of workers devotedly undertaken,
and, with a restored confidence, the annual production climbed from
the extraordinarily low figure of £53,000 in 1908 to over £80,000, to
£85,000, to £107,000, and last year (1912) to £127,000. There, with
a full output and restored profits, the story of the factory may
comfortably be left.
The history of the remaining works engaged in producing " dry
goods " should now follow, but this must be reserved for a supple-
mentary chapter.

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