Proposed Co-operative Stores at Denaby Main

A well-attended meeting of employees of the Denaby Main Colliery was held on Monday night to consider the desirability of forming a co-operative society. Mr. W. H. Chambers, the manager, occupied the chair. He stated that the movement had arisen spontaneously among the workmen and that when the matter had been mentioned to Messrs. Pope it had received their approval.

He explained that the Denaby Stores had been built for the convenience of the Denaby population, but some suspicion had arisen that advantage might be taken of them, and therefore the scheme had not progressed. Offers had been made by both private parties and managers of co-operative societies to take over the buildings and goods, but he thought it would be better if the people of Denaby managed their own purchases and received the profits.

Mr. Chambers then introduced Mr. Swan, a delegate from Manchester and Masbro’, who explained the principles of co-operation and how it had benefited thousands of people throughout the country. He stated that there were already between five and six hundred thousand members of co-operative societies. The benefits, he said, were especially valued by members’ wives, as dividends on purchases were often used to provide clothing, shoes, and other necessities for their children.

Mr. Swan had inspected the Denaby stores and believed they could form a good foundation on which to establish a society. He referred to a store at Manchester which supplied co-operative societies on the best terms and also mentioned that co-operative societies had helped reduce the practice of adulteration in goods. At Masbro’, he said, the dividend on purchases had been 1s. 10d. in the pound, and he urged the Denaby workers to take immediate action.

Mr. Jennings, another member of the Masbro’ committee, then addressed the meeting. He congratulated the Colliery Company for its supportive attitude toward the movement, which he believed would remove a major difficulty. He thought that Denaby, with its close-knit population, could easily achieve dividends exceeding those at Masbro’, possibly reaching as much as 2s. 6d. in the pound due to reduced delivery expenses. When the Masbro’ society began it possessed only £30 and very limited accommodation, yet it had grown successfully.

He added that after surveying the Denaby stores he had noticed the absence of a drapery branch, which he believed should be included. Mr. Hall, a working man also from Masbro’, followed and strongly advocated co-operation. He argued that the bonus received every three or six months was far more beneficial than small seasonal gifts such as Christmas boxes. In addition to financial advantages, he said the movement had social benefits by encouraging unity among members. He described a case of a man who had joined the Masbro’ society ten years earlier with £8 and during that period had withdrawn £55, while still leaving between £6 and £7 invested in the society.

Mr. Rose was then invited to speak but remarked that the subject had already been thoroughly explained. He instead asked the meeting what steps should now be taken. Mr. Jennings suggested that the first step should be the formation of a committee of enquiry to determine what terms could be obtained from the company and how many shares local residents might take.

This proposal was adopted, and the following gentlemen were elected to serve on the committee: Mr. Chambers, Mr. W. Chambers, Mr. Rose, Mr. Blunt, Mr. Oswell, Mr. Davis, Mr. Dainty, and Mr. Gascoyne.

Questions were then invited from those present. Mr. Jennings gave an example illustrating how some shopkeepers obtained large profits. A lady had seen a teapot offered as a present to customers purchasing tea. She visited the shop and was told she could receive the teapot only if she bought a pound of tea for 3s. 6d. She bought the tea, but later discovered that the shopkeeper had obtained the same quality tea only days earlier for about 7½d. per pound.

The meeting concluded with votes of thanks to the chairman for presiding and to the speakers for their visit.