Page 44 - 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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The Story of the C.W.S. —
abandon the measure for that session. The Lancashire committee
reviewed the position, and for Christmas Day, 1861, called a
conference at the Oldham Road branch of the Rochdale Pioneers'
Society. During an afternoon and evening sitting the BUI was
reconsidered in detail, and steps were taken towards better progress.
A levy of a halfpenny per member was asked from societies, and it
was decided to send two delegates in due course as a deputation
to London. It was further resolved :
That this meeting considers it advisable to attempt the establishment of a
wholesale depot as soon as possible after the passiiig of the Bill.
Now opened the arduous year of 1862, already darkening in
Lancashire with the shadow of the coming cotton famine. The
business of their newly-estabhshed cotton factory, the Sun Mill,
absorbed much of the attention of the Oldham men, and the v/ork of
cutting a road for the Wholesale Society fell mainly upon the
Rochdale group. James Smithies and Thomas Cheetham, of Roch-
dale, were added to the committee, and Smithies, in place of Howarth,
went with Greenwood to London. The deputation seems to have
been necessary, not only to accelerate matters, but also to save the
movement from such friends as usually can see what is wanted better
than the persons most concerned. Ilhiess had deprived co-operators
of Mr. Slaney's services, and the Bill was eventually introduced by
Mr. J. Southeron Estcourt, Conservative member for North Wilts
and an ex-Home Secretary. On moving the second reading (April
30th, 1862), Mr. Estcourt spoke of one hundred and fifty societies in
existence " doing a business nhich in the course of last year amounted
to the extraordinary and almost incredible sum of £1.512,117.
"
The men responsible for the Bill," said Mr. Estcourt, were not
embarked in a pleasure-boat, but were pulhng for their lives in
a mere skiff, and deserved to be protected from the surging billows
on every side." Representing the Liberal Government, the Solicitor-
General offered no objection to the Bill, and, no one else apparently
being interested sufficiently to speak, the second reading was
forthwith carried. Under the charge of Mr. Estcourt's friend. Lord
Portman, this second charter of co-operation fared similarly in the
Lords, and, with some slight amendments, in due course it received
the royal assent.
This year for the third time in succession the Lancashire
committee gave up their Christmas Day. But they had more reason
now for doing it cheerfully. There was a note of triumph in the
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