Page 385 - The_story_of_the_C._W._S._The_jubilee_history_of_the_cooperative_wholesale_society,_limited._1863-1913_(IA_storyofcwsjubill00redf) (1)_Neat

Peace and the Price of it.
the campaign for expulsion was satisfactory to the iniUtants of the
I.A.O.S. we have no means of knowing; but the Wholesale Society
now was not sorry to end its essay in philanthropic commerce
even on these terms. Although the total of loss incurred since
the start had been reduced a little by the properties reahsing
rather more than their nominal or book value, it still remained a
large sum. Since the Society, in reahsing, lost all the benefit that
might have accrued from the steady depreciation, the amount under
this head, as well as the interest charge which the business had failed
to pay, was to be counted as lost. Altogether, with other expenses
not directly charged against the creameries, the Wholesale Society
was left the poorer by a Uttle more than £100,000. Had it been an
association for butter-supplying only the Irish experience easily
might have been its ruin. On the other hand, if the C.W.S. had felt
itself free to act in Ireland like a private company, or even in the
interests of EngHsh butter buyers purely, ultimately it might very
well have retrieved its losses. As it was the Society practically went
out of the business (for a few creameries still remain) just at a time
when advancing butter prices, with the working of the land purchase
system and other reforms in Ireland, offered a strong commercial
inducement to hold on.
The wave of enthusiasm for Irish creameries was attended by a
ripple of desire for a like movement in England. Amidst general
congratulations, in September, 1896, the Committee obtained power
to open six creameries on this side of the Channel, as suitable
opportunities arose. From Devon to Cumberland suggestions of sites
were offered; and a deputation from the C.W.S. met a large meeting
of farmers at Lazonby, in the northern county. At Banbury, as
the result of " a unanimous request from the farmers of the district,"
a plot of land was bought from the local society, and a creamery
erected. In the following spring the old Oxfordshire borough had
the opportunity of adding to the fame won by its cakes by its
" Banbury Cross " butter. But the Banbury farmers preferred the
sohd advantage of selHng their milk at urban prices. A town
itself, and supplied with newly-increased railway facilities, Banbury
soon had no surplus for butter making. In June the Committee
foreshadowed a failure of the enterprise on account of the pro-
hibitive cost of milk. Before December the experiment was ended.
The remaining five creameries were kept discreetly out of existence.
Afterwards an attempt was made to use the Banbury premises as
a shirt factory; but this also proved a forlorn hope. The property
w 305